Liquid Chlorophyll Benefits
More on: Gut Health Guides · Liquid Chlorophyll Guides
TL;DR Liquid chlorophyll is a concentrated green plant pigment, usually supplied as chlorophyllin so it dissolves in water. It provides plant compounds with antioxidant activity. A lot of what is claimed for it online goes well past the evidence, so this page separates the two.
Comparing brands? Our guide on how to choose liquid chlorophyll sets out what to check on the label.
Liquid chlorophyll benefits are discussed everywhere and explained properly almost nowhere. Here is what it is, what the research actually supports, and what we are not going to claim.
Liquid Chlorophyll Benefits: What the Evidence Supports
The clearest and most consistent finding across the research is antioxidant activity.
A 2023 review published in Molecules examined chlorophylls and chlorophyll-rich foods and reported evidence for antioxidant activity and protection against oxidative stress.
That is worth knowing, and it is also a modest claim. These are bioactive plant compounds, and any effect is likely to be subtle and cumulative rather than immediate or dramatic.
What is chlorophyll?
- The green pigment plants use to capture light, extracted and concentrated
- Commonly sourced from alfalfa or grasses
- Typically combined with purified water, vegetable glycerine and trace minerals
What We Are Not Going to Claim
Liquid chlorophyll is marketed for a long list of things, so we want to be straight with you.
You will find sites saying it flushes toxins, cleanses the body, balances your body's acidity, works as an internal deodorant, or targets body fat. We make none of those claims. The human evidence does not support them.
If you came here looking for one of those answers, that is the honest one.
Liquid Chlorophyll and Bad Breath
Bad breath is one of the oldest reasons people reach for chlorophyll. In the early 1950s chlorophyll gum, mints and toothpaste were a craze, with US sales put at US$50 million to US$120 million in 1953, and today Australians search for chlorophyll for bad breath around 50 times a month. It is often suggested by natural health practitioners as part of a fresh breath routine.
The evidence is not strong. The studies are old and small, and a 2014 garlic breath test found chlorophyllin did not reduce the smelly compounds. Most bad breath starts in the mouth, so if it persists, listen to your dentist or health practitioner. More detail in chlorophyll for bad breath.
Liquid Chlorophyll and Body Odour
Body odour is the number one reason people tell us they start drinking liquid chlorophyll. Australians search for chlorophyll for body odour around 40 times a month, the "internal deodoriser" idea has followed chlorophyll since the 1950s, and it is often suggested by natural health practitioners.
The evidence is not strong. The best-designed trial, a randomised double-blind study of 28 people, found chlorophyll worked no better than a placebo, and underarm odour comes from skin bacteria rather than anything you drink. If odour is a concern, listen to your health practitioner. More detail in chlorophyll for body odour.
Liquid Chlorophyll for Skin
Skin is the reason chlorophyll went viral. By mid 2021 the #chlorophyll hashtag had passed 361 million views on TikTok, and the main thing people were posting about was clearer skin. Many people still take liquid chlorophyll for their skin, and it is often suggested by natural health practitioners.
The evidence is not strong. There are no good trials of drinking liquid chlorophyll for skin, and the positive reports are personal stories. For anything skin related, listen to your health practitioner or GP.
What Does Chlorophyll Do?
In plants, chlorophyll captures light and turns it into energy. It is also what makes leaves green.
In a supplement, it adds a concentrated plant pigment to your day. What the research does support is set out at the top of this page.
Everything beyond that is the marketing we covered above.
Chlorophyll Drops
Chlorophyll drops are another name for liquid chlorophyll: a concentrate you add to water by the teaspoon or dropper.
The alternative is tablets or capsules. The trade-offs are in chlorophyll drops vs tablets.
Many drops use sodium copper chlorophyllin. Ours uses sodium magnesium chlorophyllin, which is uncoppered. The difference is explained in copper vs magnesium chlorophyllin.
See our chlorophyll drops.
How to Take Liquid Chlorophyll
- Mix the recommended serve, usually 1 to 3 teaspoons, into a glass of water
- It can also go into juice or a smoothie
- Some people sip it across the day rather than all at once
- Follow the serving on your pack rather than a number from an article
Taste and what to expect
Unflavoured chlorophyll tastes green and faintly grassy. It is mild in water and disappears almost entirely in juice.
Many products add flavouring, which usually means sweeteners and additional additives. We leave ours unflavoured to keep the formula as simple as possible.
Side Effects of Liquid Chlorophyll
Generally well tolerated at recommended serves. The commonly reported effects are:
- green or dark stools, which is harmless and expected
- mild digestive discomfort, more likely at higher serves
- loose stools in some people
If you have a health condition or take regular medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist rather than relying on a general statement on a website.
What to Look For When Buying Liquid Chlorophyll
- A clearly stated chlorophyll content per serve, not just a bottle size
- Minimal additives and no artificial colouring
- Transparent sourcing and formulation
- A serve size that makes daily long term use practical
The content figure is the one most brands leave vague. If a label does not state milligrams per serve, you cannot compare it to anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between chlorophyll and chlorophyllin?
Chlorophyll is the pigment as it occurs in plants and it is not water soluble. Chlorophyllin is its water soluble form, which is what makes a liquid supplement possible. Most products described as liquid chlorophyll actually contain chlorophyllin.
Can I take liquid chlorophyll every day?
Daily use at recommended serves is generally considered low risk. Consistency matters more than taking a large amount.
Why did my stool turn green?
That is the pigment passing through and it is harmless.
Does it need to be refrigerated?
Follow the storage instructions on the label. Keeping it out of direct sunlight is sensible for any plant pigment.
Is it suitable for vegans?
Chlorophyll is plant derived, so yes, though check the full ingredient list of whatever you buy.
Our Liquid Chlorophyll
Propel Health Liquid Chlorophyll provides 100mg of chlorophyll per 5mL as sodium magnesium chlorophyllin, with purified water, vegetable glycerine and organic colloidal trace minerals. Unflavoured, with no added sweeteners.
Disclaimer
This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult your Health Practitioner before starting any new supplement.
References
- Martins T, et al. Enhancing Health Benefits through Chlorophylls and Chlorophyll-Rich Agro-Food: A Comprehensive Review. Molecules. 2023. doi:10.3390/molecules28145344
