Is drinking chlorophyll good for you

Researchers continue to explore how chlorophyll may be beneficial for health and wellness. Let’s explore a little bit of what we know so far.

1. Skin healing

Chlorophyllin has shown possible effects to reduce inflammation and bacterial growth in skin wounds.

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A 2008 review of wound care research involved several studies on ointments containing papain-urea-chlorophyllin.

While individual studies found this ointment to be more effective than other treatments, the reviewers note that larger, better controlled studies are required to confirm these findings.

Chlorophyllin may also be effective for other skin conditions, as evidenced by the results of two pilot studies. A pilot study is a small-scale preliminary study that’s performed prior to a larger study or trial.

A 2015 pilot study of 10 people with acne and large pores saw skin improvement when topical chlorophyllin gel was used for 3 weeks.

Another 2015 pilot study, also involving 10 people, found that using topical chlorophyllin over 8 weeks improved sun-damaged skin.

2. Blood builder

Some people suggest that liquid chlorophyll can build your blood by improving the quality of red blood cells.

A 2004 pilot study suggested that wheatgrass, which contains about 70 percent chlorophyll, reduced the number of blood transfusions needed in people with thalassemia, a blood disorder.

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However, it’s important to note that the study authors didn’t conclude that chlorophyll was the reason for the decreased need for transfusions.

Dr. Chris Reynolds, a clinical expert in wheatgrass, believes that the benefits likely come from wheatgrass itself rather than from the chlorophyll.

It’s unclear how wheatgrass affects red blood cells. But it’s believed that chlorophyll is destroyed during the production of wheatgrass extract.

3. Detoxification and cancer

Researchers have looked into the effect of chlorophyll and chlorophyllin on cancer.

One animal study in trout found that, depending on the dose, chlorophyll reduced the incidence of liver tumors by 29 to 63 percent and stomach tumors by 24 to 45 percent.

A 2018 study assessed the effect of chlorophyll on the growth of pancreatic cancer cells.

Researchers found that taking oral chlorophyll daily significantly reduced tumor size in mice that had been transplanted with human pancreatic cancer cells.

While the results of animal studies are promising, there have only recently been human trials. A small study of four volunteers found that chlorophyll may limit ingested aflatoxin, a compound known to cause cancer.

This is in line with an old study from China where chlorophyllin consumption at each meal led to a 55 percent decrease in aflatoxin biomarkers compared to placebo.

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Accordingly, a clinical trial in China will look at the effects of chlorophyllin on liver cancer over 20 years, per the International Business Times.

Trials are also being planned to examine how a chlorophyll-rich diet could impact colon cancer risk. Such a diet would involve increasing intake of leafy greens like spinach and parsley.

However, a 2019 feasibility study found that adherence to such a diet was lower than expected, with participants meeting guidelines only 73.2 percent of the time.

4. Weight loss

One of the most popular claims associated with liquid chlorophyll is weight loss support. However, research into this topic is currently very limited.

A 2014 study involving 38 female participants found that those who took a green plant membrane supplement, which included chlorophyll, once daily had greater weight loss than a group that didn’t take the supplement.

The researchers also suggested that the supplement reduced harmful cholesterol levels. The mechanism behind these findings, and whether it involves chlorophyll, is currently unknown.

5. A natural deodorant

While chlorophyllin has been used since the 1940s to neutralize certain odors, studies are outdated and show mixed results.

The most recent study of people with trimethylaminuria, a condition that causes a fishy odor, found that chlorophyllin significantly decreased the amount of trimethylamines.

As for claims about chlorophyllin reducing bad breath, there’s little evidence to support it.

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