Chlorophyll is the pigment that makes plants green. It’s responsible for helping plants absorb energy from sunlight during the process of photosynthesis. Consuming chlorophyll is known to have many health benefits.
What is liquid chlorophyll
Liquid chlorophyll is an extraction of the pigment chlorophyll, found in plants. One way to get liquid chlorophyll in your diet is by juicing and drinking wheatgrass and other dark leafy greens. Another way is to consume liquid chlorophyll as a supplement.
Health Benefits
Most of the research conducted on chlorophyll has been on its topical use. When applied topically, chlorophyll has been known to help heal wounds and reduce acne.Several studies have also suggested the antioxidant benefits of chlorophyll as protective against cancer.
Reduces Cancerous Tumors and Cells
Results published in 2012 suggest chlorophyll has the ability to reduce the size of cancerous tumors in an animal model. Using a study population of more than 12,000 rainbow trout, the investigators were able to conclude that chlorophyll reduced liver tumors in the fish by up to 64 percent and stomach tumors by up to 45 percent. It’s unclear if chlorophyll would have the same effect on humans. While endorsing the regular consumption of chlorophyll-rich green vegetables to provide substantial cancer chemoprevention, the study authors were careful to emphasize that the doses applied in the fish research would be of questionable human relevance.
It is important to note that while relatively nonpoisonous, chlorophyll can be harmful in large amounts.4
Since liquid chlorophyll is ingested, researchers have hypothesized that the supplement would be most beneficial in protecting against cancers related to digestion. A 2007 review concluded that chlorophyll derivatives and diets high in chlorophyll have the potential to prevent colon cancer.5 When tested on human colon cancer cells in a 2009 study, researchers found that a chlorophyll derivative was a positive treatment.
Improves Liver Detoxification
Chlorophyll has been shown to enhance the liver’s natural ability to remove toxins and waste from the body. This process is known as detoxification. One study on human and rat livers almost thirty years ago introduced these properties of chlorophyll. Specifically, in this research chlorophyllin, a copper/sodium salt of chlorophyll, was found to be able to fight against liver damage and potentially liver cancer by making the detoxification process more effective.
Treats Hemoglobin Deficiencies
Liquid chlorophyll may be what’s called a “blood builder.” This means it can potentially increase the count of red blood cells and improve their quality.
Red blood cells contain a molecule called hemoglobin, which has a very similar chemical structure to chlorophyll. Because of this nearly identical makeup, chlorophyll may be an effective treatment in patients with hemoglobin deficiencies such as anemia.
A 2016 study that used a form of chlorophyll to treat patients with anemia found that its use may improve anemia symptoms. Another study suggests that grass drinks high in chlorophyll could be used to treat hemoglobin deficiencies due to the antioxidant activity of the chlorophyll and its molecular structure that resembles red blood cells.
Aids in Weight Loss
Several small studies have been conducted to determine whether chlorophyll supports healthy weight loss in humans. A trial in 2013 involving overweight women found that chlorophyll supplements in conjunction with a high-carbohydrate meal increased feelings of fullness while regulating hunger hormones. The researchers concluded that supplementing high-carb meals with chlorophyll may reduce body weight over time.
An earlier study involving rats had a direct effect on food intake. The 2009 study found that rats reduced their food intake when supplemented with chlorophyll. Researchers concluded this long-term suppression of food intake prevented weight gain
