Allo allo friends, c’est Kat!
As another Tiktok trend has made it to our screens and likely into our morning routines, it is important to understand why to use a product or even if you should use it!
I’m talking about Chlorophyll, that green supplement – probably in liquid form – that has become an integral part of your morning routine. If it hasn’t made the cut, then stick around and find out more!
Ok. Let’s start with a little science, without getting too sciency.
The Science
Chlorophyll is a plant derived compound that helps plants absorb energy from the sun during photosynthesis.
There are five types of chlorophyll, and four can be found in plants. The two predominant types are chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b. Both types a and b are found in green plants and algae, which we can eat!
What foods are rich in chlorophyll?
Adding more green vegetables into your diet is the first step! That doesn’t mean eat a salad raw and call it a day, you can add it to the side of a meal with a great vinaigrette or add some spinach to your stir fry! The point is that you incorporate more variety of green vegetables.
Chlorophyll is difficult to absorb, because it cannot be broken down when eating and once broken down, only 4% of it is actually absorbed. Studies show that in order to reap the benefits of chlorophyll, you need to consume 100 mg per day. 100mg is the equivalent of 200 cups of spinach or 50 cups of parsley per day. LOL
{Note from Kat:
Don’t get hung up on these numbers. Not having exactly 100mg per day is not the end of the world, that number is the recommended amount for if you are actually taking the supplement, which might not even be necessary for YOU – a unique individual with your own health needs.}
Here is a list of foods that contain chlorophyll and how much chlorophyll is in them.
| Portion | Chlorophyll (mg) | Absorption (mg) |
| Parsley, 1 cup | 48.0 | 1.90 |
| Spinach, 1 cup | 23.7 | 0.95 |
| Cresson, 1 cup | 15.6 | 0.60 |
| Green beans, 1 cup | 8.3 | 0.33 |
| Arugula, 1 cup | 8.2 | 0.20 |
Additional foods that contain chlorophyll: collard greens, mustard greens, chlorella (spirulina), alfalfa, broccoli, green cabbage…
What are the potential Health Benefits?
- Anti-inflammatory
Chlorophyll has demonstrated its remarkable anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting cytokines – responsible for inflammatory reactions in the body. Maybe we’ll see it in skincare products soon enough!
- Healing abilities
When applied topically to a skin wound in gel form, chlorophyll helps increase skin healing and helps prevent infections. This benefit has been linked to its anti-inflammatory properties, reinforcing the case for including it in skincare products. 🙂
- Anti-aging effects
The topical application of chlorophyll in gel form has had promising effects on reducing signs of aging caused by the sun. Its anti-wrinkle effects can be compared to creams prescribed by dermatologists – those that contain retinoic acid/tretinoin.
- Detoxifying
Chlorophyll binds to aflatoxins and promotes their elimination/(detoxification). Such toxins are produced by microscopic mold on peanuts, among other things, and can be harmful to the liver. Chlorophyll can disable these intermediate compounds that trigger cancer.
- Acne treatment
Gel containing chlorophyllin (the water-soluble derivative of chlorophyll) can help reduce facial acne and large, visible pores. The participants in the study had mild to moderate acne and saw a difference in their skin after using the gel for 3 weeks.
What a certified Holistic Integrative Health Coach has to say about it.
Whenever you are considering trying a new supplement, it is always best to first, do research and second, consult with your doctor or seek advice from a professional.
To close the loop on supplement implementation, I did the research (check!) and also consulted Kayla Pomponio, a certified Holistic Integrative Health Coach in Montreal, to get her take on Chlorophyll.
Kayla: Chlorophyll is an amazing supplement, but at the end of the day it is a supplement and supplements are meant to be sprinkled in your diet, not overdone. […] Instead, try eating green veggies all day long instead of in one shot.
Having greens in your smoothie in the morning, a fully loaded salad for lunch and increasing your cooked greens at dinner is the best way to maintain balance.
Chlorophyll can help cleanse your colon and clear it of build-up, which blocks you up. Other benefits include clearing acne, – “I had horrible acne but I didn’t take chlorophyll long enough to see a difference” – it helps fight inflammation, rosacea and regulating body odor.
Kayla: I hopped on the chlorophyll trend when the trend first started, but it wasn’t maintainable for me. What will change your life is what is maintainable, it is all about a healthy balance.
Notes from Kat
Voilà. The down-low on Chlorophyll. The key take-aways for me are:
- You can try chlorophyll risk-free and over the counter.
- There are doctor-confirmed benefits, but there have been few studies conducted.
- Be mindful that Chlorophyll is a supplement and you can get it from eating veggies, which might be more maintainable for you.
- If you have chronic (like, everyday) inflammation, seeing a doctor or health professional is the way to go.
Bisoux! – Kat
DISCLAIMER / AVERTISSEMENT
There are few scientific studies or evidence, primarily pertaining to the HEALTH BENEFITS of Chlorophyll, that have been conducted or published. The sources used to write this article stem from brand websites, medical journals or from health practitioners themselves. The info above is meant to inform, not diagnose!
ANOTHER NOTE
Chlorophyll is safe to try over the counter. However, if you are taking medication, you should consult your doctor before starting your chlorophyll journey!