When researching the benefits of chlorophyll water, it’s hard not to be skeptical. The liquid, according to fervent online fans, is a miracle worker of sorts, supposedly helping with everything from cell regeneration to giving you ridiculously glowy skin to quelling body odour to boosting energy levels to easing a hangover. So is chugging Elphaba-colored water too good to be true or are these so-called benefits just another TikTok wellness obsession lacking merit? Read on to find out.
What is chlorophyll?
Chlorophyll, you might recall from ninth grade bio class, is the bright green pigment found in plants and is vital to their growth and survival. It’s a key factor in the process of photosynthesis, as is absorbs energy from light and generates oxygen as a byproduct.
What is chlorophyll water?
Liquid chlorophyll—made from the molecule inside green plants and vegetables that give them their colour—is actually chlorophyllin, a water-soluble form of chlorophyll that some experts say might be better absorbed in the body than pure chlorophyll which can be found in power or pill form. Some also note that the jury is out on whether we truly need to absorb it more than we already do from eating green veggies and algae, however.
Where can I get chlorophyll water?
In recent years, an uptick in companies selling pre-bottled chlorophyll water have emerged and most are respectable (i.e., not chock full of additives) but perhaps the best and most cost-effective way to consume it is picking up a bottle of liquid chlorophyll from your local health food store or speciality market. Most include directions that advise taking a tablespoon daily, either on its own or poured into water or juice. (Full disclosure: this stuff looks like food colouring, and will not only turn your water dark green but it’ll tint your teeth and tongue if you don’t suck it down fast enough, preferably with a straw.) If you’ve never given it a try, be warned that the taste is somewhat unfamiliar—earthy, plant-y, a little metallic—but certainly one that, over time, can be acquired much like standard green juice.
Are there benefits of chlorophyll water?
According to Dr. Joshua Zeichner, Director of Cosmetic & Clinical Research in Dermatology at New York’s Mount Sinai Hospital, there’s been some data to suggest that liquid chlorophyll promotes red blood cell production, which means it also may help promote oxygen delivery to your tissues, which probably accounts for why some people notice a healthy glow to their skin after drinking it.
The liquid’s also been shown to help enhance wound healing when applied topically so, by extension, it may have some pretty potent anti-aging benefits, as many topicals used to treat wrinkling have roots in skin healing. “By helping wounded cells repair themselves and behave like healthy cells, ingredients that stimulate healing might also improve fine lines and wrinkles,” Zeichner said, before pointing out Chlorophyl has potent antioxidant effects, neutralizing free radicals, which are responsible for disrupting collagen production and DNA, which causes wrinkling and promotes skin cancer.
As for the claim that chlorophyll water can make hangovers less severe, Dr. Zeichner says it could make the clearing of toxins more effective by the liver. “By enhancing activity of some enzymes involved in removing toxins from the blood, it can enhance detoxification of the body,” he said.