Chlorophyll Water: Does the Viral Trend Work?
A few drops of green liquid in a glass of water made chlorophyll water a social media star. Here is what is actually in the bottle, what research shows, and an easier way to get your greens.
Chlorophyll water became a social media trend almost overnight. People add a few drops of dark green liquid chlorophyll to a glass of water and say it clears their skin, reduces body odor, eases bloating, gives them energy and helps them detox or lose weight.
Chlorophyll is the pigment that makes plants green, so it sounds healthy by default. Here is a fair look at what the trend promises, what the research actually shows, and a simple way to eat more of the real thing.
What is in the bottle
Natural chlorophyll in plants dissolves in fat, not water, and has a magnesium atom at its center. According to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, most supplements sold as chlorophyll actually contain sodium copper chlorophyllin. This is a semi-synthetic version in which copper replaces the magnesium, which makes it dissolve in water. It is also cheaper and more stable than natural chlorophyll.
So the green drops in chlorophyll water are usually not the same substance you get from eating spinach or parsley.
Fresh Spinach and Parsley Green Sauce
You need
- baby spinach, washed2 large handfuls (about 60 g)
- flat-leaf parsley, leaves and thin stems, washed1 bunch (about 30 g)
- small garlic clove, peeled1
- lemon, juice only1/2
- extra virgin olive oil4 tbsp (60 ml)
- cold water3 to 4 tbsp (45 to 60 ml)
- salt, or to taste1/4 tsp
Method
- Dry the spinach and parsley well in a clean towel or salad spinner.
- Put the spinach, parsley, garlic, lemon juice and salt in a blender or food processor.
- Blend, adding the olive oil and water a little at a time, until you have a smooth, spoonable sauce.
- Taste and add more lemon or salt if needed.
- Spoon it over eggs, beans, grilled vegetables, fish or grains. Store any leftovers in a closed jar in the fridge and use within 2 days.
Tips
- Add a handful of basil or mint for a different flavor.
- Stir in plain yogurt to turn it into a creamy dip.
- Make only what you will eat within 2 days, as the bright green color fades quickly.
What the evidence says
Human research is limited. In animal studies only about 1 to 3 percent of natural chlorophyll is absorbed. Chlorophyllin does seem to be absorbed in people, but more research is needed.
Body odor. The research is mostly about odor from stools and urine, not general body odor. A placebo-controlled trial found chlorophyllin was no better than a placebo at reducing odor for people with a colostomy.
Cancer. In a trial of 180 adults in a region of China with high exposure to aflatoxin, a mold toxin found in some grains and legumes, chlorophyllin before meals lowered a urine marker of aflatoxin damage by 55 percent. A drop in liver cancer has not been shown, and it is unknown whether it helps people without high aflatoxin exposure.
Skin, energy, bloating, detox and weight. We did not find reliable human evidence for any of these popular claims in the sources we checked.
Safety is not fully settled either. In 2015, a European Food Safety Authority panel reviewing copper chlorophyll food colors said it could not assess their safety because key data were missing, and that the existing acceptable daily intake should be withdrawn.
A greener alternative
If you like the idea of more green in your day, eat green plants. The Linus Pauling Institute lists raw spinach at about 24 mg of chlorophyll per cup and raw parsley at about 19 mg per half cup, along with garden cress, arugula, green beans and leeks. You also get the whole vegetable and its flavor, not just a few drops of an extract.
For hydration, plain water is a healthy and cheap choice, the NHS says. Most adults should aim for 6 to 8 glasses of fluid a day, and tea and coffee count too.
Questions people ask
Does chlorophyll water clear acne?
There is no reliable human evidence that drinking chlorophyll water clears acne. A dermatologist can recommend treatments that have been tested.
Is liquid chlorophyll the same as eating greens?
No. Most liquid chlorophyll is sodium copper chlorophyllin, a semi-synthetic form. Green vegetables give you natural chlorophyll along with everything else the food contains.
Why did my urine turn green?
Green urine or stools are a known effect of chlorophyllin taken by mouth. If you have stopped it and the color does not return to normal, see a doctor.
Sources
- Chlorophyll and Metallo-Chlorophyll Derivatives — Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University
- Re-evaluation of Cu-chlorophylls (E141(i)) and Cu-chlorophyllins (E141(ii)) as food additives — European Food Safety Authority
- Water, drinks and hydration — NHS
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Herbs can interact with medicines and health conditions. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist before trying a herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, giving it to a child, or taking any medication.
