Chlorophyll Drops vs Tablets: Which Should You Buy?
More on: Supplement Buyer's Guides · Liquid Chlorophyll Guides
Chlorophyll drops and chlorophyll tablets contain the same kind of ingredient, so the choice really comes down to strength, taste, convenience and what else is in the product.
Short answer: choose drops (liquid chlorophyll) if you like a drink you can adjust, want to avoid tablet binders, or want an uncoppered magnesium form, which is mostly sold as a liquid. Choose tablets or capsules if you travel a lot, dislike the taste or want zero mess. Either way, check the milligrams per serve and whether it is copper or magnesium chlorophyllin.
What is the difference between chlorophyll drops and tablets?
Both are almost always chlorophyllin, the water-soluble form of chlorophyll. Drops dissolve the chlorophyllin in a liquid base you mix into water. Tablets and capsules press or fill a dry chlorophyllin powder with binders and fillers so it can be swallowed.1
Chlorophyll drops vs tablets compared
| Chlorophyll drops (liquid) | Chlorophyll tablets or capsules | |
|---|---|---|
| How you take it | Teaspoon in water or a smoothie | Swallow with water |
| Adjusting the amount | Easy, half or whole teaspoon | Fixed per tablet |
| Taste | Earthy, or mint if flavoured | None |
| Mess and staining | Can stain, wipe spills | None |
| Other ingredients | Water, glycerine, sometimes preservatives or flavour | Binders, fillers, coatings |
| Copper or magnesium | Both available | Mostly copper |
| Storage | Fridge once opened if preservative free | Pantry |
| Travel | Glass bottle, less convenient | Very convenient |
Strength: check the milligrams per serve
This is where products differ most. Some liquids print the chlorophyllin content per teaspoon, and some only print a percentage of "chlorophyll extract" or nothing at all. Tablets often list a large "equivalent" figure for the plant material they came from, which is not the same as the amount of chlorophyllin in the tablet. Compare like with like: milligrams of chlorophyllin per day.
Human studies of chlorophyllin have used 100 to 300 mg a day.1 Our drops give 100 mg of chlorophyllin per 5 mL teaspoon.
Copper or magnesium?
Most tablets use sodium copper chlorophyllin because it is the most stable form as a dry powder.2 If you specifically want uncoppered sodium magnesium chlorophyllin, a liquid is usually where you will find it. Our explainer on copper chlorophyllin covers the difference in detail.
Cost per day
Work it out the simple way: price divided by the number of serves, then compare the milligrams in each serve. A bottle that looks cheap can work out dearer if it needs three teaspoons to match another brand's one.
Which should you buy?
- Choose drops if you already drink a big glass of water each morning, you want to adjust the amount, you prefer a short ingredient list, or you want the magnesium form.
- Choose tablets if taste is a deal breaker, you travel constantly, or you never want to wipe green off a benchtop again.
If drops suit you, you can buy liquid chlorophyll from us: uncoppered sodium magnesium chlorophyllin, unflavoured, no preservatives or additives, 40 serves in a 200 mL glass bottle. Our guide to chlorophyll water shows how to take it.
Frequently asked questions
Are chlorophyll drops stronger than tablets?
Not automatically. It depends on the milligrams of chlorophyllin per serve, which you need to read on each label.
Can I take chlorophyll drops straight?
You can, but it is very concentrated and stains. Diluting it in water is easier on your teeth and your benchtop.
Do chlorophyll tablets turn your stools green too?
Yes. Any chlorophyllin product can.
About the author
Grant Jenkins is a director of Propel Health Australia and an Accredited Exercise Physiologist. Our range is packed in a licensed facility in Brendale, Queensland. Every figure quoted for our product in this article is the figure on our printed label.
References
- Drake VJ. Chlorophyll and Metallo-Chlorophyll Derivatives. Linus Pauling Institute Micronutrient Information Center, Oregon State University. lpi.oregonstate.edu
- Natural Food Colours Association. Chlorophylls (E 140, E 141). natcol.org
Disclaimer
This article is general information, not medical advice. The studies described used other products, mostly copper chlorophyllin, not ours. Speak to your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition.
