Advice from a Registered Dietitian: Are The Rumors True? All About TikTok’s Latest Trend, Chlorophyll Water

July 22, 2021

By: Sarah Casciato, RD, MHSc., and Alicia Lang, MHSc(c)

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Thanks to the mega-popular social media app TikTok, “Chlorophyll water” has the spotlight and promises clear skin, effortless weight loss, reduced body odour, and even prevention of cancer. But does the science back up these claims? In this blog post we will explore all the rumors about Chlorophyll water and if it holds up on any of its promises.

What is Chlorophyll?
Before we get into the claims around chlorophyll, let’s first discuss what it is. You may remember from grade school science classes that chlorophyll is the green pigments found in plants and is an important part of the photosynthesis process. Essentially, chlorophyll is what makes green plants green, meaning it can be found in any bright green vegetable or herb, like arugula, spinach, broccoli, parsley, green beans, and more.

Chlorophyll supplements (in this case, chlorophyll water) is actually chlorophyllin, which is the water soluble version of chlorophyll, making it possible to combine with water and drink. Chlorophyllin supplements are found in many forms, but the one taking the spotlight right now is liquid drops known commonly as “chlorophyll water”.

What Does Chlorophyll Water Do for Me?
Now that we know what it is, let’s break down the top 5 chlorophyll claims one at a time and take a look at the science behind them.

Weight Loss: While there have been some studies suggesting that chlorophyll may aid in weight loss, the studies are either too small to draw strong conclusions, have faulty methodology, discount other factors that may lead to weight loss, or were done in mice (and you are not a mouse!).

Weight loss is complex, and it's very unlikely that a single supplement can cause effortless weight loss, so always think twice about a product promising weight loss without lifestyle changes.

Clear Skin: Some studies show that chlorophyll can aid in acne treatment and reduce inflammation, but usually when used topically (i.e. on the surface of your skin, not from drinking it). On the other hand, some report that topical chlorophyll can cause skin irritation.

Strengthen Red Blood Cells: Chlorophyll may be a source of iron and has a structure similar to that of red blood cells, but this doesn’t mean it acts like blood or strengthens these cells. There isn’t enough evidence to support the claim that chlorophyll will improve your blood, and the evidence that does exist is unclear.

Prevent Cancer: Some studies link chlorophyll with reduced tumor size and growth in certain types of cancer, but again, many of these studies were done in mice and may not be the case in humans. Of course, a diet high in natural chlorophyll is also high in vegetables and other plant based foods, which has been shown to possibly reduce the risk of cancer when compared to a diet high in ultra-processed foods.

That being said, there is not one specific food or supplement that can completely eliminate your risk of cancer, as there are many other factors at play in the development of cancer.

Liquid chlorophyll is of course a more concentrated source of chlorophyll than a serving of vegetables, but there isn’t evidence to indicate that consuming a higher dose of chlorophyll will make it impossible for you to get cancer - in fact, this is pretty much impossible. Minimizing your risk of cancer is absolutely not a bad health practice, but you’re better of to continue eating a well balanced diet with plenty of vegetables than spending your hard earned cash on expensive liquid supplements.

Odour Neutralizer: Some studies report that chlorophyll reduces bad breath and body odour in those with a specific condition causing extreme body odour, but in the average person, we’re not so sure. These studies are outdated, show mixed results, and the evidence is weak.

Are There Any Side Effects?
As with any health product, there are some side effects to drinking chlorophyll water you might want to be aware of. Chlorophyll water may cause digestive issues, diarrhea, discoloured stool, and could possibly interfere with some medications you may be taking. These side effects may be minimal and are likely not a cause for concern, but still something you may want to be mindful of.

Bottom Line:
Any one product that promises to help you effortlessly lose weight, clear your skin, get rid of all body odour, AND cure cancer is probably stretching the truth a bit. There isn’t enough evidence in humans to support the claims chlorophyll water is making. While taking chlorophyll water likely won’t hurt, it might not be worth the extra money. Save your cash and get your chlorophyll from eating your favourite green veggies! As always, get your nutrition advice from a Registered Dietitian before consulting the internet.

Want to learn more? Click Here to book an appointment with a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist today!

Resources:

Abby Langer. (2021, April 21). What’s the Deal with Chlorophyll Water Trend? Retrieved from https://abbylangernutrition.com/whats-the-deal-with-chlorophyll-water-trend/
Jill Seladi-Schulman. (2020, November 8). The Benefits of Chlorophyll. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/liquid-chlorophyll-benefits-risks#dosage