Chlorophyll for Bad Breath: What the Research Actually Says

Chlorophyll for bad breath is one of the oldest ideas in the supplement aisle, and it goes back further than most people realise: to chlorophyll toothpaste, chewing gum and breath mints in the early 1950s.

Short answer: there is no good modern trial showing chlorophyll fixes bad breath that starts in the mouth, which is where most bad breath comes from. The few studies that exist are old, small or used copper chlorophyllin. If your breath is a concern, start with your dentist and your tongue. If you like chlorophyll as a daily green, enjoy it for that.

Where the chlorophyll and bad breath idea came from

Water-soluble chlorophyll was patented in the 1930s. By 1948 there was a chlorophyll toothpaste on the market, and a 1950 magazine article helped set off a full-blown craze.¹ Within a few years you could buy chlorophyll gum, chlorophyll mints, chlorophyll toothpaste, chlorophyll soap and even chlorophyll cigarettes.^1,2

The craze faded fast. A medical critic of the day pointed out that grazing animals eat enormous amounts of chlorophyll and are not known for smelling sweet, and a newspaper turned it into a rhyme: "Why reeks the goat on yonder hill, who seems to dote on chlorophyll?"¹ By 1954 the evidence was being described as inconclusive and the market collapsed.²

Chlorophyll for bad breath: what the studies tested

The 1950s studies

Researchers tested chlorophyll as a deodorant in the early 1950s, including a 1953 assessment in the British Medical Journal.³ A 1952 cosmetic chemistry study found water-soluble chlorophyllins neutralised odours in a test tube, but taken by mouth they did not change how much odour sweat developed. They did reduce odours coming from the gut.⁴

The garlic breath test

In 2014, food scientists measured the smelly compounds on people's breath after eating raw garlic. Raw apple, parsley, spinach and mint all reduced them. Chlorophyllin did not.⁵ Interestingly, the leafy greens that worked are rich in natural chlorophyll, but the researchers put their effect down to enzymes and polyphenols in the fresh food rather than the green pigment.

Breath that starts in the gut

A small number of studies and plenty of online anecdotes suggest chlorophyllin may matter more for odours that start lower down, in the gut, than for odours from the mouth. The evidence here is thin and mostly decades old.^4,6

What causes bad breath?

Most bad breath starts in the mouth. Bacteria on the back of the tongue, between teeth and around the gums break down proteins and release sulphur compounds. Dry mouth, strong foods like garlic and onion, smoking and some medications make it worse. Less commonly it can come from the tonsils, sinuses or the stomach, and persistent bad breath is worth raising with your dentist or GP.

What actually helps fresh breath

• Brush twice a day and clean between your teeth.
• Clean your tongue, especially the back third, with a scraper or your toothbrush.
• Drink water through the day. A dry mouth smells.
• Eat crunchy raw foods like apple and fresh herbs like parsley and mint, which did well in the garlic breath test.⁵
• See your dentist regularly, and see your GP if bad breath does not improve.

So is liquid chlorophyll worth taking?

Take it because you want an easy daily green, not as a breath fix. A glass of chlorophyll water in the morning is a simple habit that also gets more water into your day. Our liquid chlorophyll supports antioxidant intake & daily wellbeing, and it is unflavoured, uncoppered sodium magnesium chlorophyllin with no preservatives or additives. If that sounds like your kind of habit, you can buy liquid chlorophyll here. See how to make chlorophyll water for the method, and chlorophyll drops vs tablets if you are choosing a format.

Frequently asked questions

Do chlorophyll mints work for bad breath?

Mints mask odour while you have them in your mouth, and the mint flavour does most of the work. There is no good evidence the chlorophyll in them adds anything.

Is liquid chlorophyll good for your teeth?

It is a strong pigment and some people find it stains teeth or braces. Dilute it well and use a straw.

How long does chlorophyll take to work for breath?

There is no reliable timeline because there is no good trial showing a breath effect.

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

1. Jarry J. The Emerald Chlorophyll of Oz. McGill Office for Science and Society, 30 July 2021. mcgill.ca
2. O'Hagan LA. All that glistens is not (green) gold: historicising the contemporary chlorophyll fad through a multimodal analysis of Swedish marketing, 1950-1953. J Hist Res Mark. 2022;14(3):374-398.
3. Brocklehurst JC. An assessment of chlorophyll as a deodorant. Br Med J. 1953;1(4809):541-4.
4. Evaluation of in-vitro and in-vivo methods of testing deodorants with particular reference to chlorophyll and its derivatives. J Soc Cosmet Chem. 1952;3(1). library.scconline.org
5. Munch R, Barringer SA. Deodorization of garlic breath volatiles by food and food components. J Food Sci. 2014;79(4):C526-33.
6. Drake VJ. Chlorophyll and Metallo-Chlorophyll Derivatives. Linus Pauling Institute Micronutrient Information Center, Oregon State University. lpi.oregonstate.edu

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.