If you’ve ever looked up ‘green drinks’ or ‘health tonics’ on the internet
You’re bound to have come across Liquid Chlorophyll.
Chlorophyll is the green component found in plants.
It helps plants convert sunlight into energy and is a key component of photosynthesis
Which is why it gives plants their green colour.
But what about Liquid Chlorophyll? Is it beneficial for humans?
Is it safe?
How do we take it?
In this article, I will try to answer all these questions and more!
Overview of Chlorophyll
Liquid chlorophyll is an amazing superfood. It’s the green pigment found in plants that allows them to absorb light and transform it into energy. So, basically, it's plant solar power! Liquid chlorophyll has become a popular food supplement because it’s great for detoxing and many people swear by its health benefits.
Liquid chlorophyll is a dietary supplement that can be consumed in a variety of ways. It's made by extracting the chlorophyll from plants and then dissolving it in water. This creates a green liquid with a distinctive plant-like taste. Taking liquid chlorophyll provides many of the same benefits as consuming large amounts of fresh green vegetables. Yet in a concentrated form.
What Does Science Say?
The basic chemistry of chlorophyll is very similar to human blood. The only difference is that the central atom in chlorophyll is magnesium (Mg) while in humans, it's iron (Fe). This chemical similarity between magnesium-rich chlorophyll and iron-rich blood means that when we take liquid chlorophyll (a concentrated form of Mg), our body can convert it into haemoglobin - the oxygen carrying component of red blood cells.
In other words, liquid chlorophyll gives your blood an energy boost, making you feel more energised and healthy. In fact, studies have shown that taking liquid chlorophyll can increase your red blood cell count as well as improve symptoms of anaemia . Liquid chlorophyll also contains antioxidants which help protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals - unstable atoms produced when your body converts food into energy.
Related: Does Liquid Chlorophyll Help With Weight Loss & Wellbeing?
Top 6 Evidence-based Health Benefits of Chlorophyll
Chlorophyll is the 'life-blood' of plants. It's what gives green vegetables their colour and comes from green pigment molecules called pheophytins. The unique structure of chlorophyll allows it to convert sunlight into energy, so we can think of it as nature’s own “superfood.” Adding chlorophyll supplements to your daily routine can provide many health benefits such as:
1. May Prevent Cancer
Chlorophyll is being studied as a possible treatment for cancer in animal models. A 2015 review of chlorophyllin (the active compound in chlorophyll) concluded that it might help prevent and slow cancer growth. In 2016, a team of researchers determined that chlorophyllin helped slow the progression of lung cancer in mice. The researchers administered the chlorophyllin to the mice in microscopic capsules known as nanocapsules.
2. Reduced Skin Ageing
Researchers found that applying a topical chlorophyllin gel to the skin reduced signs of photoaging, which is a type of ageing that results from sun exposure. The study used skin samples from four healthy women and lasted for 12 days. Another study found that skin treated with chlorophyllin improved in a similar way to skin treated with tretinoin. The authors suggest that using a combination of chlorophyllin and tretinoin could be an effective treatment for reversing the signs of photoaged skin.
3. May Relieve Acne
Researchers found that people with acne who used a combination of topical chlorophyll and phototherapy had fewer acne lesions, less severe acne, and less oily skin than those who used phototherapy alone. However, the 24 participants were all of Asian descent and had darker skin types, so results may not be relevant for everybody. Further research is needed to conclude the effects on other skin types.
4. Wound Healing
Researchers from the 1940s to 1950s studied chlorophyll as an aid for wound healing, and some of these early studies suggested that chlorophyll may help heal surgical wounds and prevent infections. Some doctors prescribe a medication containing chlorophyllin, which is produced from chlorophyll, to promote wound-healing and reduce odours. A review in 2008 suggested that this medication may be effective for healing a variety of wounds.
5. Blood Builder & Purifier
Because chlorophyll is basically the blood of plants, it can help build healthy blood, when consumed. Some researchers have found that wheatgrass juice, which is naturally rich in chlorophyll , may reduce symptoms of haemoglobin deficiency disorders such as anaemia and thalassemia.
6. Potent Detoxifier
The human body needs chlorophyll to help build blood, cleanse the liver and kidneys, and to protect against toxins in the environment. Chlorophyll also helps remove heavy metals and chemicals from the body.
Learn more: The Health Benefits of Liquid Chlorophyll and Chlorophyll Powder
Foods Rich In Chlorophyll
Most green vegetables contain chlorophyll. Some of the most chlorophyll-rich foods are:
- ● broccoli
- ● green cabbage
- ● asparagus
- ● green beans and peas
- ● matcha green tea
- ● spinach
- ● collard greens
- ● mustard greens
- ● chlorella
- ● spirulina
- ● alfalfa
- ● parsley
4 Ways To Use Liquid Chlorophyll
Liquid chlorophyll is a concentrated form of chlorophyll, perfect for quickly increasing your chlorophyll intake. If you want to try liquid chlorophyll as part of your diet, here are some ways you can incorporate it:
- ● Add some drops to your drinking water. It's mild in taste and makes plain water more appealing.
- ● Mix it into a smoothie or juice. You can also blend it with some yogurt or nondairy milk substitute. Add a few drops at a time and increase the dosage gradually based on your tolerance level. If you find the taste too strong or unpleasant, mix it with pineapple juice, or another fruit juice you enjoy. Or blend in your favourite nuts.
- ● Use it as salad dressing together with olive oil, vinegar and lemon juice.
- ● An easy way to consume liquid chlorophyll is by placing a few drops under your tongue.
Takeaway
So far we’ve discovered many scientifically backed ways that chlorophyll can enhance health. While further scientific testing is still needed to determine if all of the health benefits are supported by facts, a growing number of people are already turning to Liquid Chlorophyll for various health conditions. Including some common ailments and long-term imbalances. The next time you're in the market for an alternative "superfood", don't be too quick to discard Liquid Chlorophyll. Maybe you will find it to be just what your body was missing.
Written by best-selling author and integrative nutrition health coach Rowanna Watson, who has a passion for natural health. Rowanna is an expert in all areas of holistic health, plant-based nutrition, detoxification and personal development.
Water for Health Ltd began trading in 2007 with the goal of positively affecting the lives of many. We still retain that mission because we believe that proper hydration and nutrition can make a massive difference to people’s health and quality of life. Click here to find out more.
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