Chlorophyll for Body Odour: Does the "Internal Deodoriser" Idea Hold Up?

Chlorophyll for body odour is the number one reason people say they start drinking liquid chlorophyll, and online opinion on whether it works is split right down the middle.

Short answer: the studies are old, small and mostly about odour from the gut, not underarm odour. The best-designed trial, in colostomy patients, found chlorophyll worked no better than a placebo. The most positive result, in a rare condition called trimethylaminuria, used copper chlorophyllin in seven people. Underarm body odour comes from skin bacteria, so start with the basics. Treat chlorophyll as a daily green, not a deodorant.

Where the "internal deodoriser" idea came from

In the early 1950s chlorophyll was sold as a deodoriser you could swallow. Chlorophyll tablets, gum and toothpaste promised to stop body and breath odour from the inside out, and sales reached tens of millions of dollars before the fad collapsed.^1,2 The phrase "internal deodoriser" has stuck to chlorophyll ever since.

Chlorophyll for body odour: what the studies tested

Sweat odour, 1952

A 1952 study found that water-soluble chlorophyllins taken by mouth did not change how much odour sweat developed, even though they neutralised odour in a test tube. They did reduce odours from the gut.³

Nursing home residents, 1980

A study of 62 nursing home residents reported chlorophyllin tablets were helpful for body and faecal odours. There was no control group, and the authors themselves described the tablets as at times a "morale-building placebo".⁴

Colostomy patients, 1989

This is the best-designed trial. Twenty-eight people with a colostomy took 75 mg chlorophyll tablets three times a day or a placebo, in a randomised, double-blind crossover. Chlorophyll was no better than placebo for faecal odour.⁵

Trimethylaminuria, 2004

Trimethylaminuria, sometimes called fish odour syndrome, is a rare metabolic condition. In seven Japanese patients, copper chlorophyllin at 180 mg a day for three weeks brought a smelly compound in their urine back to normal levels. Activated charcoal did much the same. The study was small and had no placebo group.⁶

What causes body odour?

Sweat itself barely smells. Body odour forms when bacteria on the skin, mostly in the armpits and groin, break down compounds in sweat. Diet, stress, training, some medications and clothing fabric all change how strong it is. Odour from the gut, such as flatus and stool, is a different process, and that is where the chlorophyll research has shown the most interest.

What to try first for body odour

• Wash daily with soap, paying attention to armpits, groin and feet.
• Use an antiperspirant at night, when it absorbs best.
• Wear breathable fabrics like cotton and merino, and change after training.
• Notice whether garlic, onion, spices or alcohol make a difference for you.
• See your GP if odour changes suddenly or does not respond to the basics.

Should you take liquid chlorophyll anyway?

If you enjoy it, yes, as a simple daily green. A teaspoon in a big glass of water is an easy habit, and plenty of people like it. Just do not expect it to replace your deodorant. Ours is unflavoured, uncoppered sodium magnesium chlorophyllin with no preservatives or additives, and it supports antioxidant intake & daily wellbeing. You can buy liquid chlorophyll here, or read chlorophyll for bad breath and how to make chlorophyll water first.

Frequently asked questions

How long does chlorophyll take to work for body odour?

Online reports range from a week to three months, which is what you would expect when there is no consistent effect to measure. The studies ran from three weeks to a few months.

Is chlorophyll good for period or intimate odour?

There is no research on this. Any change in odour in that area is worth raising with your GP.

Copper or magnesium chlorophyllin for body odour?

The odour studies used copper chlorophyllin or chlorophyll tablets. There are no human studies of the magnesium form for odour. Read copper chlorophyllin vs magnesium chlorophyllin for the difference.

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. 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
4. Young RW, Beregi JS Jr. Use of chlorophyllin in the care of geriatric patients. J Am Geriatr Soc. 1980;28(1):46-7.
5. Christiansen SB, Byel SR, Strømsted H, et al. Can chlorophyll reduce fecal odor in colostomy patients? Ugeskr Laeger. 1989;151(27):1753-4.
6. Yamazaki H, Fujieda M, Togashi M, et al. Effects of the dietary supplements, activated charcoal and copper chlorophyllin, on urinary excretion of trimethylamine in Japanese trimethylaminuria patients. Life Sci. 2004;74(22):2739-47.

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.