Chlorophyll is a pigment that gives plants their green colour and is a key part of photosynthesis. If you haven’t thought about science since middle school, photosynthesis is the process by which plants use energy from the sun to make food.
Many people think that chlorophyll is the basis of all life on Earth because it is so important to plants, which are the base of the food chain.
But could it be good for your health? People are talking a lot on TikTok about the possible benefits of the plant pigment chlorophyll. The hashtag #chlorophyll has gotten hundreds of millions of views and more and more testimonials.
The colourful wellness trend that is going crazy on social media shows drops of chlorophyll splashing into glasses of water in a mesmerising way. It also shows enough green-coloured drinks being drunk by people to make you think it’s St. Patrick’s Day.
But you don’t use pure chlorophyll when you use chlorophyll drops. The green liquid added to drinks is chlorophyllin, which is a semi-synthetic mix of sodium copper salts made from chlorophyll. (Chlorophyllin can also be bought and used as a cream or pill.)
So, is chlorophyll the answer to all your health problems, or is it better left to natural science quizzes? Let’s jump into the green water and ask registered dietitian Beth Czerwony, RD, what it is.
What is said to be good for your health about chlorophyll?
Chlorophyll has been known as a health and wellness supplement for decades, long before TikTok made it popular. It has been said for a long time to have many health benefits, such as:
- Stopping cancer.
- Getting rid of the pain.
- Skincare and get rid of acne.
- Lose weight.
- Controlling body odour.
- Getting rid of bloating and constipation.
- Boosting energy.
So, does chlorophyll live up to its promise of being a Swiss Army knife? Research has shown that it has some antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, but Czerwony warns that it shouldn’t be thought of as a cure-all for any of the above problems.
“If something really worked for all of that,” Czerwony says, “it’s safe to say it wouldn’t be a secret that was just revealed to the world through TikTok. There’s a reason to doubt.”
Is liquid chlorophyll safe?
Researchers at the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University found that chlorophyllin hasn’t made people sick for decades. Czerwony says that it seems safe to use in small amounts.
“Would I tell you to do it? No,” says Czerwony. “Plants have a much greater need for chlorophyll than we do. It’s not really important. But there’s no real harm in trying it if you want to.”
There are, however, some possible side effects. When taking chlorophyll supplements, sometimes stomach or GI problems get a little worse. The poop could also be a different colour, most likely green.
People who use chlorophyll drops are also more likely to get a sunburn. Going back to the science lessons you learned in middle school, it seems that chlorophyllin still has some of chlorophyll’s ability to make a plant more sensitive to light.
Other supplements than chlorophyll
Czerwony says there is a more natural way to get more chlorophyll than looking for bottles of supplements. Just move your shopping cart to the produce aisle and fill it with green vegetables.
Some ready-to-eat foods that are high in chlorophyll are spinach, kale, green beans, and peas. Even better, each of these choices comes with fibre, vitamins, and other nutrients that chlorophyll drops don’t have.
Czerwony says, “A bottle of chlorophyll drops costs a lot.” This is another reason why going to the grocery store is a good idea. “From a health point of view, you should spend the money on vegetables instead.”