You’re probably familiar with chlorophyll as the chemical that makes plants green, but did you know that you can drink it too? Yep, people are drinking chlorophyll-infused water on the premise that it provides health benefits including reduced inflammation and weight loss.
So should you try it? Does it really work? We break down the super ingredient below.
What exactly is it?
“Chlorophyll water is pretty much exactly what you think — water mixed with chlorophyll along with natural flavors and sometimes sugar,” explains registered dietitian Summer Yule. “There are a large number of health claims being made about this product, such as that it can help with weight loss and cravings, that it has anti-inflammatory benefits, and that it promotes healthy and youthful skin,” says Yule.
Where can you find it?
You can buy it in some health food and vitamin stores, order it online, or make your own. Additionally, Yule points out that you can get chlorophyll from vegetables, which have an added bonus of fiber and micronutrients. Yule recommends getting most of your chlorophyll from dark leafy greens like spinach, collard greens, and kale, instead of relying only on chlorophyll water.
Does it really work?
“There’s some research suggesting that chlorophyll can help with weight loss and acne, and one study even found that it can reduce your ingestion of the cancer-causing compound aflatoxin,” says Erin Palinski-Wade, a nutrition and diabetes expert. Chlorophyll also provides antioxidants that can help prevent cell damage. “Still, most research on chlorophyll’s benefits have either been done on animals, been conducted in vitro, or involved a small number of people,” adds Yule.
Should you try it?
“There are very few potential side effects to consuming chlorophyll and many potential health benefits,” says Palinski-Wade. If you want to try chlorophyll water, she recommends Swisse Chlorophyll. The only caveat is that the effects of chlorophyll on pregnant and breastfeeding women haven’t been studied, so we recommend talking to your doctor before trying it.
Want to stay on track of your health this winter? Check out eight expert tips on how to stay healthy during the holidays here.
xx, The FabFitFun Team
