Hope you know that chlorophyll is the pigment that makes plants green. This green pigment is responsible for helping plants absorb energy from the sunlight. This is possible during the process of photosynthesis. If you consume liquid chlorophyll, it has many health benefits.
You might have come across videos showing skin filled with red acne marks on the forehead, nose, and cheeks. In less than a minute, they add a dessert spoon-size of liquid chlorophyll, which they add to the water and drink. Millions of viewers watch these videos and have seen the drastic difference in her skin’s texture and redness.
It is no wonder that concentrated liquid chlorophyll is flying off the shelves, and there has been a surge in liquid chlorophyll purchases. Could adding a little concentrated chlorophyll to water be the remedy for acne, hyperpigmentation, and redness?
So, is drinking liquid chlorophyll the solution to help clear out your acne-prone skin? If you are in the habit of already eating or juicing your greens, there is no need to supplement your diet.
Here we discuss the benefits of liquid chlorophyll and its health benefits.
What Is Liquid Chlorophyll?
Liquid chlorophyll is an extraction of the pigment chlorophyll commonly found in plants. One way to include liquid chlorophyll in your diet is by juicing and drinking wheatgrass. You can also drink the juice of other dark leafy greens. Another way is to consume liquid chlorophyll in the form of supplements.
What is Chlorophyll?
Chlorophyll plays a vital role in making plants healthy and green. It also has vitamins, antioxidants, and therapeutic properties that have the potential to benefit your body.
You can get chlorophyll from either plants or supplements, although supplements might be a better choice and more effective too. Probable because chlorophyll may not survive digestion long enough for absorption.
Chlorophyll supplements are actually chlorophyllin. Chlorophyllin contains copper instead of magnesium. When you take doses of chlorophyllin, the copper can be detected in plasma. It implies that absorption has occurred.
Chlorophyllin actually has similar properties to chlorophyll. When you shop for chlorophyll supplements, you may notice these benefits:
- It can stimulate the immune system.
- They help eliminate fungus in the body.
- It also detoxifies your blood.
- Heals and cleanse your intestines.
- It can help get rid of bad odors.
- energizing the body
- preventing cancer
However, research results are mixed about whether chlorophyll drink and chlorophyll supplements can actually boost your health in these ways. More rigorous studies are required to evaluate the potential health benefits of chlorophyll.
Liquid Chlorophyll for Skin Healing
Chlorophyllin is very beneficial as it can effectively reduce inflammation and bacterial growth in skin wounds. A review in 2008 in wound skin care research involved several studies on ointments which contained papain-urea-chlorophyllin.
Several individual studies found this Chlorophyll ointment was more effective than other treatments. However, larger, better controlled studies are required in this direction to confirm these findings.
Interestingly, chlorophyllin may also be effective for other skin conditions. A pilot study is primarily a small-scale preliminary study performed before a more extensive research or trial.
In the pilot study, people with acne and large pores saw significant skin improvement when topical chlorophyllin gel was used. They used the gel for 3 weeks and noticed a prominent difference.
Another 2015 pilot study that involved 10 people found that using topical chlorophyllin over 8 weeks could also improve sun-damaged skin. You can also try dates fruit for a healthy skin.
Health Benefits of Liquid Chlorophyll
Most of the research conducted on liquid chlorophyll has been on its topical use. When you apply it topically, chlorophyll can help heal wounds and reduce acne too. Several studies suggest that the antioxidant benefits of chlorophyll as protective against cancer.
Although this information is limited, evidence and literature support the health benefits of chlorophyll when consumed in the liquid form. Supplemental chlorophyll can be taken in either liquid, powder, or tablet form.
1. Reduces Cancerous Tumors and Cells
Results published in a 2012 report suggest that chlorophyll has the ability to reduce the size of cancerous tumors. The researchers were able to conclude that chlorophyll reduced liver tumors in the fish by up to 64 percent. It also reduced stomach tumors by up to 45 percent. It is still unclear if liquid chlorophyll would have the same effect on humans.
But it still needs to be proved that the regular consumption of chlorophyll-rich green vegetables would help provide substantial cancer chemoprevention in humans. It is important to note that liquid chlorophyll could be relatively nonpoisonous but can be harmful in large amounts.
As liquid chlorophyll is ingested, researchers have studied that the supplement would be most beneficial. The chlorophyll supplement helps protect against cancers related to digestion.
A 2007 review deducted that chlorophyll diets and derivatives high in chlorophyll have the potential to prevent colon cancer. When researchers tested it on human colon cancer cells in a 2009 study, they concluded that a chlorophyll derivative was a favorable treatment.
2. Improves Liver Detoxification
Chlorophyll can enhance your liver’s natural ability to remove wastes and toxins from the body. This process is known as detoxification.
One study done on both human and rat livers almost thirty years ago introduced these properties of chlorophyll. In the study, researchers studied that chlorophyllin, a copper/sodium salt of chlorophyll, was able to fight against liver damage. It could also fight liver cancer by making the detoxification process more effective.
3. Aids in Weight Loss
Several small studies have been conducted to determine whether chlorophyll supports healthy weight loss in humans. A trial involving overweight women confirmed that chlorophyll supplements together with a high-carbohydrate meal could increase feelings of fullness while regulating hunger hormones.
Therefore, the researchers concluded that supplementing high-carb meals with chlorophyll might reduce body weight overtime.
An earlier study that involved rats had a direct effect on food intake. The 2009 study found that rats could reduce their food intake when supplemented with chlorophyll. Researchers concluded this long-term suppression of food intake automatically prevented weight gain.
How to Take Chlorophyll Drinks and Supplements
You can buy chlorophyll supplements at most health food stores, drug stores, and natural food shops.
As a supplement, chlorophyll comes in different forms, like tablets, ointments, sprays, and even liquid chlorophyll. According to Oregon State University, the average dosage of chlorophyllin supplements should be between 100 and 300 milligrams per day over three divided doses.
Chlorophyll supplements are not regulated, and their doses vary. You should consult your doctor to decide whether you need them. You should also check what dosages are proper for you.
Some people incorporate liquid chlorophyll into their diets by adding it as a liquid form to the recipe. You can also add the powder form into juices, water, or sauces.
Before taking chlorophyll or any herbs, liquids, or supplements, discuss with your doctor. Probably because it can cause unintended side effects, especially if you are taking medication or have existing health concerns.
Natural chlorophyll
You can also prepare your liquid chlorophyll by using parsley and water. Only three ounces of parsley would make about 2 tablespoons of chlorophyll.
Once you prepare the drink, you can use your homemade chlorophyll for a tasty smoothie recipe. It can also be a healthy drink you can include in your diet.
Plants that are green and fresh are probably a good source of chlorophyll. Meaning those that are dark green in color. This means vegetables and herbs like wheatgrass, spinach, green beans, parsley, arugula, leeks, and peas could be a good option.
According to Oregon State University, one cup of raw spinach roughly contains about 24 mg of chlorophyll. Parsley, on the other hand, has about 19 mg per cup. You can easily blend parsley with water to create a “liquid chlorophyll” drink.
Other greens will average 4 – 15 mg per cup. So whatever greens you get, try making a drink. Remember that your best source of chlorophyll will come from green veggies and herbs that are green and brightly colored inside and out.
Veggies like asparagus and broccoli may be green on the outside, but their whitish interior indicates a smaller amount of chlorophyll.
Wheatgrass Has Chlorophyll-related Benefits
Do you know that wheatgrass may be a good alternative-medicine approach for some conditions? A review of wheatgrass juice therapy found that it may be helpful for people who need:
- anticancer therapy
- blood transfusions
- ulcer healing
- liver detoxification
- laxatives
- to prevent tooth decay
Wheatgrass oil is also helpful in treating scars. You can make wheatgrass oil by roasting wheatgrass until it turns black. Then press out the oil from the wheatgrass. As with chlorophyll, additional research is also required for the potential health benefits of wheatgrass. You can easily get wheatgrass at your local health food store or farmers’ market.
You can also try planting your wheatgrass. An organic kit costs about $60 online. The price of wheatgrass powder can vary depending on the quality.
Is Liquid Chlorophyll Safe?
Researchers found no toxic effects linked to chlorophyllin in decades of human use. It is safe when used in moderation.
It is indeed true that plants need chlorophyll far more than we do. But if you want to try it, there’s no actual harm.
Though there are some potential side effects. Mild stomach or gastrointestinal issues sometimes flare up when you take chlorophyll supplements. Discolored poop mostly also is a possibility.
Conclusion
Chlorophyll is commonly found in plants or taken as a supplement. It might have several health benefits, such as reducing cancer risk and helping your skin heal faster. However, research is currently limited. More and more studies are needed to characterize these potential benefits.
You can try including chlorophyll in your diet by increasing your intake of vegetables such as spinach, parsley, and arugula. In addition, you can also take chlorophyll supplements which are also available at health food stores and drug stores. It is always best to talk to your doctor before starting a new supplement.
