Curious to learn more about the chlorophyll water trend? We asked dermatologists for the DL.
Over the last few months, you might have seen people touting the powerful benefits of chlorophyll water while thumbing through your social media feeds. Curious about how legit this trend was, we turned to insight from two board-certified dermatologists. With their help, we’re dishing on everything you need to know about the chlorophyll water trend and helping you decide whether to chug or not to chug.
What’s Chlorophyll Water, Anyway?
Long story short, chlorophyll is the green pigment found in plants and algae. Specifically, it’s located in the chloroplast AKA the tiny organelles responsible for photosynthesis.
“Photosynthesis is the process by which plants absorb energy from sunlight, and liquid chlorophyll is the extraction of the pigment,” explains Dr. Annie Gonzalez, a board-certified dermatologist at Miami’s Riverchase Dermatology.
Chlorophyll water—and chlorophyll drops or powders you can add to your water—are now being sold by health and wellness brands. In recent months, largely due to their presence on social media—these products are gaining some serious momentum. Examples include Sakara’s Detox Water Drops and cocokind’s Detox Chlorophyll Tonic.
The Potential Benefits of Drinking Chlorophyll Water
“Some of the supposed benefits of drinking chlorophyll water are treating skin care concerns and debloating or aiding in weight loss,” says Dr. Jeannette Graf, a board-certified dermatologist and Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Mt Sinai School of Medicine. “Chlorophyll water contains antioxidants that reap a variety of skin benefits like helping with free radical damage and fine lines and wrinkles.”
She adds that chlorophyll water may also enhance internal alkalinity, which can promote a healthier body and therefore, perhaps, help with inflammation, acne, weight, and sleep. The reality, though, is that research is still heavily underway on the benefits of chlorophyll water, especially as they relate to skin.
For example, making the claim that chlorophyll water is going to instantly create glowing skin or “cure acne” is going a bit too far (at least for now). While research supports some of these potential benefits, we still need to gather more data before making definitive claims.
Can’t You Just Eat Your Veggies For The Same Effect?
Chlorophyll supplements aren’t exactly budget-friendly, but there are some ways to get your chlorophyll fix (should you desire) via certain veggies.
“According to Oregon State University, one cup of raw spinach contains about 24 mg of chlorophyll, and parsley has about 19 mg per cup. You can blend parsley with water to create a [DIY] ‘liquid chlorophyll’ drink,” says Dr. Gonzalez. S
She adds that any vegetable that’s green both inside and out—like kale and celery—will provide you with the best source of chlorophyll (approximately 4 to 15 mg per cup). Green veggies that have a whitish interior, including asparagus and broccoli, will have smaller amounts of chlorophyll.
The biggest difference between eating veggies and taking a chlorophyll supplement is the ease and concentration. If cost isn’t an issue, and you’re looking for a simple one-and-done for the day, chlorophyll water might be your better option. Dr. Graf also notes that “adding chlorophyll water to a diet rich in veggies can only be a good thing” so don’t feel like you must choose one or the other.
The Bottom Line on Drinking Chlorophyll Water
At the end of the day, if drinking chlorophyll water makes you feel good and gets you excited about your wellness, that’s great. There are no known negative side effects, and preliminary data shows that it can be helpful in reducing inflammation and promoting good health. That said, don’t feel like you have to break the bank on this supplement.
“Eating a nutritious diet is always most important,” says Dr. Graf. “Our cells and skin function best when the pH balance of our bodies is at its proper level, which all comes back to the food we are putting in our bodies.”
