Chlorophyll Water: How to Take Liquid Chlorophyll and How Much

Chlorophyll water is simply liquid chlorophyll stirred into a glass of water, and it has become one of the easiest daily green habits to build.

Short answer: add one teaspoon (5 mL) of liquid chlorophyll to a glass of water, once or twice a day, and stir. Use cold water, drink it with a straw if you are worried about staining, and keep the bottle in the fridge if it has no preservatives. Expect green stools. Start with one glass a day and see how you go.

How to make chlorophyll water

1. Shake the bottle well.
2. Measure one teaspoon (5 mL) into a large glass, around 250 to 300 mL.
3. Top up with cold water and stir. It turns a clear, bright green.
4. Drink it straight away, or pour it into a drink bottle and sip through the morning.

Concentrated liquid chlorophyll is a strong pigment. It will mark white benchtops, clothing and grout, so wipe up drips quickly.

How much liquid chlorophyll should I take?

Follow the directions on your bottle, because strengths differ a lot between brands. Ours is one teaspoon (5 mL), once or twice a day, which gives 100 mg of chlorophyllin per serve.

For context, the human studies of chlorophyllin have generally used 100 to 300 mg a day, split across the day.¹ If you prefer to get it from food, one cup of raw spinach contains around 24 mg of natural chlorophyll and half a cup of parsley around 19 mg.^1,2

Liquid chlorophyll dosage by brand strength

Some bottles list milligrams per serve and some do not. If yours does not, it is hard to compare value, so it is worth checking before you buy. A bottle that lists its strength lets you work out the cost per 100 mg.

When to take chlorophyll

There is no best time backed by research. Most people take it in the morning because it is easy to pair with a glass of water at breakfast. Others split it between morning and afternoon. Pick the time you will actually remember.

How to make chlorophyll water taste better

Unflavoured chlorophyll tastes earthy and a little grassy. It is mild in a big glass of cold water. If you want to dress it up:

• Add a squeeze of lemon or lime.
• Stir it into coconut water or a green smoothie instead of water.
• Add a few mint leaves or cucumber slices to a jug for the fridge.
• Use more water. Strength of taste drops quickly with dilution.

Unflavoured has one advantage over spearmint versions: it does not fight with juice or smoothies.

Chlorophyll side effects to know about

• Green stools are common and expected. The pigment passes through.
• Green or dark tongue and staining of teeth or braces. A straw helps.
• Loose stools or stomach cramps in some people, usually at higher amounts. Cut back if it happens.
• Faecal occult blood tests can give a false positive, so tell your doctor if you are due for one.¹
• Sun sensitivity. Rare cases of blistering skin sensitivity to sunlight have been reported in Australia in people drinking liquid chlorophyll.^3,4 Stop and see your GP if you notice blistering or fragile skin on sun-exposed areas.

Chlorophyllin has not been studied in pregnancy or breastfeeding, so check with your healthcare provider first.¹

Where the chlorophyll water trend came from

Chlorophyll water took off on TikTok in 2021. By late April that year the #chlorophyll hashtag had more than 188 million views, and one large supplement brand reported chlorophyll sales up more than tenfold.⁵ The trend has settled, but the habit stuck for a lot of people because it is quick, cheap per serve and easy to keep up.

Our liquid chlorophyll

Ours is uncoppered sodium magnesium chlorophyllin, unflavoured, with no preservatives or additives, in a 200 mL glass bottle of 40 serves. It supports antioxidant intake & daily wellbeing. If you are ready to start, you can buy liquid chlorophyll here. Not sure which type of chlorophyll is right for you? Read copper chlorophyllin vs magnesium chlorophyllin.

Frequently asked questions

Can I drink chlorophyll water every day?

Yes, most people who use it take it daily at the label dose. Take a break if you notice stomach upset.

Can I add liquid chlorophyll to hot drinks?

Cold or room temperature drinks are better. Heat and light speed up the breakdown of chlorophyll pigments.

Does liquid chlorophyll need to be refrigerated?

If it has no preservatives, yes, once opened. Check your label.

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. Drake VJ. Chlorophyll and Metallo-Chlorophyll Derivatives. Linus Pauling Institute Micronutrient Information Center, Oregon State University. lpi.oregonstate.edu
2. Bohn T, Walczyk T, Leisibach S, Hurrell RF. Chlorophyll-bound magnesium in commonly consumed vegetables and fruits: relevance to magnesium nutrition. J Food Sci. 2004;69(9):S347-S350.
3. Rossi E, Borchard K, Cole JM. Pseudoporphyria following self-medication with chlorophyll. Australas J Dermatol. 2015;56(1):47-8.
4. Zhao CY, Frew JW, Muhaidat J, et al. Chlorophyll-induced pseudoporphyria with ongoing photosensitivity after cessation: a case series of four patients. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2016;30(7):1239-42.
5. Sabarese A. Chlorophyll: a TikTok trend gone viral. Vitamin Retailer, 1 July 2021. vitaminretailer.com

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.