Chlorophyll as the Hottest Wellness Ingredient | Uses & Benefits

You probably know chlorophyll from your school biology class, where the teacher taught us that this compound is responsible for the distinct green colour of plants. But only during the last few years has chlorophyll become a well-known dietary supplement with an impressive list of benefits for overall well-being.

When chlorophyll is sourced from algae like spirulina or leafy greens, this compound can work as a great source of healthy protein suitable for vegans and vegetarians. It has also been shown to clean the body, which positively affects skin health. In addition, daily consumption of chlorophyll has potent antioxidant properties, which help strengthen the immune system.

Since chlorophyll is so popular now, the market is also developing new types of chlorophyll supplements. So you can find any way to consume this compound, whether it will be a liquid or tasteless capsule – the choice is vast and suitable for all customers. Below we will discuss all the benefits of chlorophyll for your wellness and how you can boost your health with this product in 2022.

What is Chlorophyll?

Before we dive into the benefits of drinking chlorophyll, let’s first learn what it represents. Chlorophyll refers to the natural compound found in green plants that gives them their green colour. This compound helps plants to absorb energy directly from the sun since they undergo photosynthesis. Chlorophyll is a valuable nutrient present in green vegetables as well as other plant-based foods, such as algae. The more green colour the plant has and the brighter the colour is, the higher the chlorophyll content the plant has.

Chlorophyll is available in two types in plants, and they are known as chlorophyll and chlorophyll b. Each plant contains either one of these two types. Both these nutrients are fat-soluble, and both offer potent antioxidant effects. Once ingested, chlorophyll moves around your body in micelles, which represent molecular groups containing fat.

Benefits of Chlorophyll

Wound Treatment

There is a theory that chlorophyllin provides deodorising effects on foul-smelling wounds when used topically, based on the report made by the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University. This is why this compound is now added to various ointments used for debridement, or thorough cleaning, of wounds to lessen local inflammation and speed up the healing process. However, these sprays, lotions and ointments are available when prescribed by the healthcare professional.

Skin Healing

A small study conducted two years ago suggested participants apply the topical gel with sodium copper chlorophyllin with the goal of treating acne and enlarged pores. And the results were surprising, where the patients showed “statistically significant improvements” only after three weeks and tolerated the product well.

In addition, a small 2015 study published in The Journal of Drugs in Dermatology also reported the same effects and significant results after testing a sodium copper chlorophyllin gel on ten patients who had been struggling with sun-damaged skin treating wounds for eight weeks.

Antioxidant and Anticancer Properties

Chlorophyll is well-recognised for its antioxidant properties, which means it may help prevent or delay oxidative cell damage. And this effect provided by chlorophyll has been linked to potential anticancer properties, as excessive oxidative damage can cause severe health issues in the long term. However, more human trials are still lacking, and more scientific proof is required.

Liver Health 

Several anecdotal pieces of evidence suggest that chlorophyll may enhance the liver’s ability to remove toxins from the body. However, more research is required, and more studies on humans are needed to make any claims.

Chlorophyll Supplements 

Since chlorophyll has become one of the most popular wellness compounds, manufacturer’s created a vast range of supplements to cover most users’ needs. Wellness supplements filled with chlorophyll are often derived from wheatgrass, spirulina, barley grass, chlorella, as well as blue-green algae. So now, consumers can find chlorophyll available in capsules, tablets and liquid form from pre-made spirulina drinks such as those from Ful. It is also worth noting that liquid chlorophyll is usually known as chlorophyllin.

Even though there is no recommended dose for chlorophyll supplements, we always recommend you follow manufacturer guidelines. It is also vital for you to choose the form of the supplement based on your unique needs, goals, dietary requirements and lifestyle.

What are Food Sources?

Whether or not you decided to add chlorophyll to your wellness routine, there is a high chance that you already eat it directly from food sources. In addition, nutritional experts say that consuming this compound from vegetables and green is an excellent way to support your overall well-being. As we mentioned, dark-green leafy vegetables are typically high in this compound, but there are still some food sources that are also rich in chlorophyll. Some of them include:

• Alfalfa;
• Arugula;
• Basil;
• Broccoli;
• Cilantro;
• Collard greens;
• Green apples;
• Asparagus;
• Barley grass;
• Green grapes;
• Hemp seeds;
• Kiwi;
• Matcha tea;
• Parsley;
• Pistachios;
• Seaweed;
• Spinach;
• Spirulina;
• Wheatgrass.

Safety Concerns 

The quality of supplements containing chlorophyll varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Therefore, you need to know how to choose high-quality products to enhance your well-being without any harsh additives. Every trusted manufacturer that doesn’t have anything to hide should be voluntarily submitted for certification by a third-party authority. Even though the certificate doesn’t mean that this supplement will boost your wellness, it still will ensure that the label tells the truth and that the company you choose is trustworthy.

Final Thoughts 

Chlorophyll is referred to as a natural compound that gives plants their green pigment. Chlorophyll provides a nutritional value when consumed in the form of dietary supplements, while some also believe it can support overall wellness and enhance health. Some of the benefits include the treatment of acne, cleaning properties, antioxidant properties and so on. However, there is little evidence to support any of these claims, so more research is required.