What is
Chlorophyll?

According to Dr. Kelly Bay, chlorophyll is a powerful antioxidant which also has a wide range of benefits. It reduces inflammation naturally, which can help improve arthritis and other chronic inflammatory problems. Dr. Bay explains that chlorophyll shrinks the production of an inflammatory response chemical in the body. Also, it has been found to kill microbes and can help against Candida albicans also. Chlorophyll can also help your muscles and your heart by boosting the production of CoQ10 in the body. Dr. Bay is a "big fan of Chlorophyll Water", especially as a substitute for leafy greens in the diet. (Bay, 2020)

Trista Best, a registered dietician, explains that chlorophyll's antioxidants, which come from plant compounds, work to remove and reduce toxins and free radical damage in the human body. This damage can include aging skin and other more serious conditions. She agrees with Dr. Bay about the antimicrobial properties of chlorophyll that help combat acne because suddenly your skin isn't a great place for bacteria to grow. Ms. Best also adds her voice to those who tout its natural anti-inflammatory abilities, which also help combat the appearance of aging, like wrinkles and loose skin. (Best, R.D., 2020)

A study published in the Journal of Food Science states that chlorophyll possesses strong antioxidant capacity along with a significant amount of essential vitamins. These effective radical scavengers help neutralize harmful molecules caused as a consequence of oxidative stress. (Ferruzzi, Bohm, Courtney, & Schwartz, 2006)

Certified Nutritionist Lisa Richards explains that the antioxidant benefits of chlorophyll also extend to Chlorophyll Water. This beverage is promoted as being able to enhance your immune health, your risk of chronic disease, and the health of your skin. Drinking Chlorophyll Water can result in an increase in energy. It does this by boosting the body's red blood cells and oxygen - the same way chlorophyll works in plants, by using the sun's energy to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. Richards agrees with others that the antioxidant properties in Chlorophyll Water give it the detoxifying ability to combat damage by free radicals. This damage can be external as well as internal. Externally, damage from free radicals and toxins affects the skin, which can lead to dry patches, wrinkles, and uneven skin tone. Plant compounds, such as those found in Chlorophyll Water, can actually reduce and even reverse this damage at the cellular level. (Richards, 2020)

Nutritionist Patricia Greenberg adds that the antioxidant power of chlorophyll can prevent free radicals, which is linked to the kind of DNA damage that can cause heart disease and cancer. (Greenberg, 2021)

Registered Dietician Michelle Pillepich explains that the antioxidant effect of chlorophyll has been shown to extend to derivatives of chlorophyll as well. A study from 2001 showed a reduction in the biomarkers for aflatoxin (a carcinogen). While more research is needed to confirm this short study, if you enjoy Chlorophyll Water, the potential for benefit certainly exists. (Pillepich, RD, 2019)

Because chlorophyll is known as a potent antioxidant, some researchers have found that consuming chlorophyll (or applying it topically) can help with acne and large pores. One small study published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology tested the efficacy of a topical chlorophyllin on subjects with acne and deemed it effective as a treatment. (Stephens, PhD, McCook, BS, & Herndon Jr., MD, 2015)

Another study in the Korean Journal of Investigative Dermatology tested the effects of dietary chlorophyll on women over the age of 45 and found that it “significantly improved wrinkles and skin elasticity." (Drink Containing Chlorophyll Extracts Improves Signs of Photoaging and Increases Type I Procollagen in Human Skin in Vivo, 2006)

Todd Buckingham, PhD, Lead Exercise Physiologist at the Mary Bed Sports Rehabilitation Performance Lab explains to us that in addition to the high antioxidant level of chlorophyll, this amazing substance also has high amounts of necessary vitamins. Chlorophyll is responsible for the antioxidant and phytonutrient traits of green plants. Since antioxidants combat free radicals, and since exercise adds to the level of free radicals in the system, athletes have a special need for antioxidants in their diet because they help the athlete's cells recover. (Buckingham, PhD, 2019)

An interesting fact about chlorophyll – its molecular structure is similar to that of hemoglobin, which is a critical part of human blood. The only exception is their central atom (iron for hemoglobin and magnesium for chlorophyll).

Red blood cells contain a molecule called hemoglobin, which has a very similar chemical structure to chlorophyll. Because of this nearly identical makeup, chlorophyll may be an effective treatment in patients with hemoglobin deficiencies such as anemia.

In the body, it stimulates production of hemoglobin and red blood cells, according to Dr. Andrea Maxim, who also vouches for chlorophyll's antioxidant and liver-aiding properties. (Maxim, CCNM, 2020)

Ciara Shea, FNTP states that because chlorophyll can potentially improve the count and quality of red blood cells, some call it a "blood builder." She also agrees with the statements that chlorophyll can help improve liver detoxification and digestion, as well as reduce inflammation. (Shea, FNTP, 2020)

One of the potential benefits of liquid chlorophyll is that it "aids in restoring and replenishing red blood cells. It works at molecular and cellular levels, increasing the work of hemoglobin and helping to replenish the number of red blood cells. The benefits? It helps to grow and maintain tissues.” (Nagdeve, 2020)

Dr. Robert DeMaria reminds us that chlorophyll "has the same structure as the heme of blood (except that where the heme carries an iron mineral in the center, the chlorophyll carries magnesium)," so therefore it is sometimes called the "blood" of the plant world. Dr. DeMaria agrees with Ciara Shea that chlorophyll may help to support blood quality, and he adds that it is a good source of magnesium. (DeMaria, 2021)

Liquid chlorophyll may also improve the quality of your blood, increasing the count—and overall health—of red blood cells. Why? Chlorophyll and hemoglobin (a molecule in red blood cells) have similar molecular structures. For this reason, research suggests that chlorophyll may help improve anemia symptoms.

Furthermore, VeryWellFit published an article naming one benefit of liquid chlorophyll as the ability to improve detoxification, or the liver's ability to eliminate waste and toxins.

VeryWellFit also reports that “liquid chlorophyll may be what’s called a ‘blood builder,'" meaning it can potentially increase the count of red blood cells and improve their quality, as well as that “liquid chlorophyll is believed to have many more health benefits than what has been studied so far.” (Bourassa, 2020)

According to Aimee Ricca, BA, people have been using chlorophyll as a supplement for years, and many studies suggest its power to help conditions such as body odors and acne, among others. Also, because chlorophyll is similar to hemoglobin, it may be useful in treating hemoglobin deficiencies present in anemia and similar conditions. (Ricca, BA, 2021)

Chlorophyll has been shown to enhance the liver’s natural ability to remove toxins and waste from the body. This process is known as detoxification.

Board certified health coach Karen Malkin agrees with LeNaya Smith Crawford that chlorophyll is known as "nature’s life force." Chlorophyll can help with the liver's natural detoxification process and also help achieve pH level balance. Some studies show that chlorophyll may even aid in reducing hunger and losing weight. Research also shows that it helps fight against liver damage. (Malkin, 2020)

Shin-Di Cynthia, RN, BSN says that chlorophyll benefits human health in multiple ways. "I like to think of chlorophyll as an internal cleaner, detoxifier, and restorer. The phytochemicals and phytonutrients are helpful to get rid of toxins in the blood stream as well as provide the contents to repair damaged tissue," she states. How does this happen? Certain vitamins and minerals oxygenate the blood and increase blood production, thus resulting in an increase in cell function within the body, which promotes well-being and the immune system. She suggests taking chlorophyll as an immune system support, which could also help get rid of oxidative stress from the emotional stress and anxiety that is prevalent at this time. (Cynthia, RN, BSN, 2020)

Dr. Inna Lukyanovsky, PharmD explains that chlorophyll can assist the body in absorbing vitamins K, A, C and vitamin E. Dr. Lukyanovsky also agrees with others that it aids in the detoxification process and specifically, that it supports phase 2 of liver detox. (Lukyanovsky, PharmD, 2020)

Erik Levi, Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner states, “I'm a big believer in supporting detoxification and keeping your body from toxins and metals, especially considering their abundance in our modern culture." Levi also cites the benefits of chlorophyll for blood flow and function. (Levi, FNTP, 2020)

We mix the liquid Chlorophyll (as Sodium Copper Chlorophyllin) in Chlorophyll Water with Purified Water (carbon filtered, triple filtered, UV treated). Then we fortify it with additional Vitamin A, Vitamin B12, Vitamin C, and Vitamin D.

Lauren O'Conner, MS, RDN, RYT, registered dietitian of Nutri Savvy Health, likes drinking Chlorophyll Water infused vitamin water, saying it is refreshing and hydrating. She calls the water "subtly sweet" and adds that it uses copper chlorophyllin, which gives it a nice color. There are no added sugars or any artificial sweeteners, sugar alcohols, or colors, which helps the drink rank in her top choices.

Integrative & Functional Nutrition specialist Amanda Sylvie, MPH, RD, LD, CLT, also likes the detox-boosting, antioxidant abilities of greens in general and chlorophyll in particular. She states that research corroborates the idea that chlorophyll in its ingestible forms can add to overall health by enhancing such bodily functions. Chlorophyll Water is an easy way to add more chlorophyll to your diet.

Certified Nutritionist Lisa Richards says that there are two main benefits to drinking Chlorophyll Water. The first is that you are adding another source of plant compounds and antioxidants to your diet. This alone makes Chlorophyll Water a great addition to anyone's diet. The second is that you are probably replacing other drinks that are full of sugar, artificial sweeteners, calories and/or caffeine. By replacing these unhealthy drinks with Chlorophyll Water, you're eliminating something bad and adding something that will improve your health. (Richards, 2020)

Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach Mariah Heller explains, “Chlorophyll Water has a lot of potential benefits for the skin, hair, and digestive system as well as being a fantastic source of hydration. While nothing will be a miracle cure-all, if you add Chlorophyll Water into your daily routine (which should also include healthy food and exercise), you'll notice a difference in how you look and feel.” (Heller, 2020)

Her Campus explores the benefits of drinking chlorophyll, explaining the “first benefit of chlorophyll water that sticks out to me the most is that chlorophyll water helps improve your skin. This water has anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce the spread of bacteria growth in the skin. Having a glass of chlorophyll water can help with acne by reaching into the gut and removing the bacterium in it”.

Functional Nutritionist Deidre Bloomquist says that chlorophyll helps transport oxygen to cells, just like the hemoglobin in human red blood cells. This results in more energy and more capacity to function. Bloomquist also joins with others in acknowledging chlorophyll’s important role in the detoxification of waste and toxins in the body. (Bloomquist, 2020)

Dr. Lily Kiswani, MD emphasizes chlorophyll’s abilities to boost the immune system and aid in detox. She says these abilities are two of the reasons why green smoothies are a great idea. But if you can’t make a green smoothie, you can take liquid chlorophyll as a short cut to get the same benefits. (Kiswani, MD, 2021)

Bansari Acharya, MA, RD tells us, “Additionally, Chlorophyll Water may aid in weight loss, liver detoxification, and to improve the quality of the red blood cells in the blood. However, more research is needed for conclusive benefits.”