Is Chlorophyll Water Good for You
Liquid chlorophyll has taken over the wellness side of TikTok in the past month, with more than 219 million views for the #chlorophyll hashtag. Influencers are making a wide variety of claims about the dark-green drink’s health benefits, from clearing acne to speeding up weight loss. To figure out whether or not chlorophyll water is as good for you as they say, let’s start by explaining what chlorophyll water is.
WHAT IS CHLOROPHYLL WATER?
Chlorophyll water is a drink made by mixing a dropperful of liquid chlorophyll supplement into a glass of water. The recommended dosage varies by manufacturer but is usually anywhere from 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of supplement. The result is vibrantly green water with an aftertaste that one drinker described as “very synthetically minty.”
You may be familiar with chlorophyll as the plant pigment that gives leaves their green hue and allows them to photosynthesize sunlightinto energy. Chlorophyll is probably already part of your diet, since it naturally occurs in green vegetables like spinach, broccoli and cucumbers. However, since chlorophyll doesn’t dissolve in water, a chlorophyll supplement is actually sodium-copper chlorophyllin, a semi-synthetic chemical derived from plant chlorophyll. Although called an “all-natural remedy,” it’s not quite as natural as eating a salad.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF CHLOROPHYLL WATER?
The biggest question on everyone’s mind is whether or not chlorophyll water is actually good for you. The short answer is there’s not enough research to say one way or the other. While it’s not typically harmful, there’s no evidence proving that it prevents cancer, aids in weight loss, detoxes the body or gives an energy boost, like some claim. Topical chlorophyll supplements may have a mild effect on healing acne and improving the appearance of wrinkles, but even research here is limited, and there’s no research indicating that chlorophyll in water helps skin problems.
Chlorophyll water does have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and some premade chlorophyll water brands have added vitamins and minerals. However, you can get these same benefits from eating vegetables, particularly leafy greens like spinach or arugula.
WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF CHLOROPHYLL WATER?
While its benefits are still up for debate, chlorophyll water can produce mild side effects in some people. Especially when used too frequently or in too high of a dosage, liquid chlorophyll can cause digestive problems and diarrhea. It can also cause some people to develop photosensitivity, which increases their risk for sunburn, or pseudoporphyria, which causes the skin to become very fragile, resulting in blisters on the hands and feet. There’s also no studies on the effects of chlorophyll supplements on pregnant or breastfeeding women and children under the age of 18.
It is prudent to consult your doctor before adding any supplement to your regular diet to avoid complications with other medicines or pre-existing conditions.
IS CHLOROPHYLL WATER HEALTHIER THAN REGULAR WATER?
There’s no reason to believe chlorophyll water is healthier than spring or purified water. In fact, some of the anecdotal benefits many people experience from drinking chlorophyll water may just be from drinking more water in general! Staying properly hydrated can help improve your mood, keep you energized and lead to healthier looking skin, among other important health benefits.
Unfortunately, up to 75% of Americans suffer from chronic dehydration. To stay better hydrated and enjoy all of water’s health benefits, try bulk water! Our studies showed that bulk water users consume as much as 25% more water than non-bulk water users. Drink more water with the help of Primo Water dispensers and refillable water bottles.
