For the vast majority of plants, chlorophyll cannot survive without it. What you may not have thought about, however, is that this plant pigment is just as important to the human body. Among its most prominent effects are anti-inflammatory, detoxification, and weight loss.
What is Chlorophyll?
Chlorophyll is a fat-soluble green pigment mostly found in green plants and seaweeds. It is used in photosynthesis to help plants use the energy of sunlight to produce oxygen and absorb nutrients.
There are two main forms of chlorophyll in nature: chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b. In natural plants that contain chlorophyll, the ratio of chlorophyll a (blue-black) to chlorophyll b (dark green) is 3:1, and the two work together to produce the dark green color visible to our eyes.
Although it’s purely natural, there are many artificial, semi-synthetic chlorophyll blends available on the market as supplements. These supplements have been used safely for over half a century and are commonly used to treat skin wounds, body odor, digestive problems, and other health issues.
What Are its Benefits to the Human Body?
Chlorophyll functions in the body very similarly to hemoglobin in that it delivers high levels of oxygen to the blood and it helps with cell growth and repair.
1、Anti-inflammatory
Under both in vitro and in vivo conditions, chlorophyll is an effective antioxidant and radioprotectant, scavenging free radicals to reduce oxidative stress in the body. It protects against protein oxidation, lipid peroxidation, and thiol depletion caused by radiation, photosensitization, and other oxidants.
The anti-inflammatory properties of it have been used to treat a variety of inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis, sinusitis, pancreatitis, respiratory disorders, and cardiovascular disease.
2、Detoxification
As an antioxidant, chlorophyll helps to remove harmful toxins from the body, purifying and repairing most areas of the body. Environmental pollution and heavy metal toxins are very harmful to the human body, and it’s considered one of the most effective chelating agents in nature. It binds to heavy metal ions in the body and turns them into stable, larger molecular-weight compounds, thus blocking the toxic effects of the metal ions.
Another way in which chlorophyll protects healthy cells and body tissues is by increasing phase II biotransformation enzymes. This action promotes liver health and naturally eliminates potentially harmful toxins.
3、Boosts immunity
A healthy immune system is a foundation for maintaining overall health, protecting us from bacteria, viruses, and disease. Chlorophyll increases the number and activity of immune cells and effectively boosts the immune system by stimulating bone marrow cells to produce white blood cells. The role of white blood cells is to stop foreign invaders from attacking the immune system. When leukocyte levels drop, it leads to weakened resistance, opening the door to viral infections and various diseases.
Since chlorophyll has the same structure as hemoglobin, it naturally helps to improve the condition of red blood cells. This can have several positive effects on the body, including improved blood oxygen levels, increased energy, and a stronger immune system.
4、Weight control and weight loss
The body secretes a hormone called Ghrelin, which is also known as the hunger hormone and can affect appetite and regulate food intake. The higher your hunger hormone levels are, the hungrier you will be.
Several studies have confirmed that chlorophyll can inhibit the secretion of Ghrelin and prevent blood sugar from dropping, thereby reducing hunger and prolonging satiety, which in turn leads to weight loss and fat reduction.
The mechanism of action is to reduce the rate of hydrolysis of intestinal lipids so that the lipolytic products reach the distal intestine and release satiety hormones.
5、Improve digestion
The microbiome in the gut has a direct impact on digestion, absorption, and even the health of the immune system. Chlorophyll acts similarly to probiotics in the intestinal tract in that it increases beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract, thus helping the body digest and absorb nutrients.
In addition, chlorophyll is also a great antimicrobial agent, which helps eliminate harmful bacteria while maintaining healthy bacteria. A strong microbiome promotes the absorption of important nutrients from food, helping you get all the vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial compounds.
6、Speed up wound healing
When skin tissue breaks down, foreign bodies enter the bloodstream and cause blood cells to clump together. This limits the amount of nutrients available to repair injured tissue.
Back in the 1940s and 1950s, researchers discovered that chlorophyll could be used as a wound-healing aid, helping to heal wounds after surgery and prevent infection. It works by stimulating the production of healthy granuloma tissue and fibroblasts and inhibiting bacterial growth, resulting in tissue repair.
7、Prevent and control cancer
When your body’s pH is acidic, you are more likely to get sick or infected, while an alkaline pH helps prevent disease. Studies have also shown that an acidic body may lead to cancer.
Chlorophyll has the effect of lowering the acidity of the body and also adsorbs heavy metals and carcinogens in the body, thus preventing the digestive system from absorbing these harmful substances and helping to remove them, thus preventing certain cancers, including liver and colon cancers.
8、Eliminate body odor
Everyone has a special “body odor”, which is like the body’s own identification mark. Some people emit the scent, while others are “body odor”. The most common source of body odor is sweat, in addition to the odor caused by some diseases, and older people also have a unique body odor.
Body odor is not only embarrassing but also may affect normal social life. Thus, chlorophyll has been put to use in the elimination of body odor. For years, it has been used as a deodorant and added to breath fresheners, skin care products, and bath products.
Many people on social media have taken pictures and shared their experiences of drinking chlorophyll drinks to eliminate body odor. This deodorizing function of chlorophyll probably comes mainly from its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which help detoxify the liver and thus cleanse the body from the inside out.
9、Promote skin health
Chlorophyll has antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties, which can effectively improve skin problems. Studies have found that chlorophyll helps inhibit the activity of the herpes simplex virus and stops its development, so it can be used as a natural remedy for herpes.
A 2005 study also showed that chlorophyll may also be effective for mild to moderate acne. After three weeks of topical application of chlorophyll gel to people with acne and enlarged pores, their skin improved.
10、Anti-aging
Topical chlorophyll has the effect of slowing down the aging process. Our skin is prone to premature aging when exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet radiation for long periods, which is known as photoaging (also known as exogenous aging).
And research has found that applying a gel containing chlorophyll to the skin can reduce the signs of photoaging. In the study, which lasted 12 days, researchers used skin samples from four healthy women. The results showed that treating and improving skin aging with chlorophyll was close to the effects of using retinoic acid. Retinoic acid is a prescription skin cream that has been shown to help slow down skin aging. The researchers concluded that the combination of chlorophyll and vincristine may be effective in reversing photoaging of the skin.
What Are the Foods Rich in Chlorophyll?
The best sources of chlorophyll found on Earth are green vegetables and algae. In particular, greens like kale, spinach, parsley, and Swiss chard are high.
However, the chlorophyll content of foods decreases when they are cooked, frozen, and then thawed, and when they are spoiled. Therefore, to get the most amount of chlorophyll from your diet, it is best to eat fresh and uncooked foods, such as vegetable salads. Foods rich in chlorophyll include：
- Spinach
- Kale
- Mustard greens
- Chlorella
- Spirulina
- Parsley
- Broccoli
- Asparagus
- Kale
- Green beans and peas
- Matcha and green tea
In addition to chlorophyll, these vegetables provide a variety of essential vitamins and minerals.
Conclusion
Chlorophyll is considered a superfood because of its powerful antioxidant and detoxifying effects, and its ability to support the immune system, prevent cancer, promote digestion, control weight, and protect skin health.
The best sources of chlorophyll on the planet are green vegetables and algae, such as kale, parsley, spinach, and spirulina. To ensure maximum nutrient intake, foods should be kept fresh and not cooked for too long, preferably raw (e.g. in vegetable salads).
