Where do you discover new health trends and fads? TikTok is growing in users promoting health trends, good or bad, and some downright outrageous. One of the current trends is drinking liquid chlorophyll. Taking liquid chlorophyll became popular back in 2016 when celebrities began touting its health benefits. (I am sure Gwyneth Paltrow and Goop had something to do with this). Now the trend has caught on and many TikTokers are getting upward of one million views on their claims that liquid chlorophyll has helped their acne and reduced their body odor. However, according to dermatologists, nutritionists, and other physicians, these claims are misleading. In a write-up in Huffington Post, dietitian and nutritionist Judy Simon states that these claims can’t be verified because dietary supplements are not FDA approved. Furthermore, liquid chlorophyll is not pure chlorophyll from plants but a semi-synthetic version called chlorophyllin and there have been limited studies on its actual benefits. Below is more information on liquid chlorophyll from HuffPost:
“Drinking liquid chlorophyll seems to hit on people’s intuitions about naturalness and purity, because you are taking water and adding something that comes from plants, which are instinctively viewed as pure,” noted Andrew Shtulman, a professor of psychology at Occidental College.
It is also easier to swallow chlorophyll than, say, cook green vegetables or exercise. After all, these health-boosting activities “take more effort, or we might not have the resources to purchase the materials or access to a space where we need to do them,” Shtulman said.
First, it is important to remember that dietary supplements do not go under any type of Food and Drug Administration approval, said Judy Simon, a registered dietitian and nutritionist and adjunct faculty member at the University of Washington.
“Anyone can make all kinds of claims about chlorophyll supplements,” said Simon, so approach cautiously when you see them on your TikTok “For You” page.
To assess the true effectiveness of liquid chlorophyll, you need to look at chlorophyllin, a semi-synthetic form of chlorophyll found in liquid chlorophyll that is different from the natural version contained in plants, Simon said. This form allows it to be mixed into water and dissolve well.
However, the limited number of human studies on chlorophyllin’s effect on skin focus on topical application, as opposed to ingestion, and these studies involve only 10 people or fewer.
Board-certified dermatologist Joyce Park emphasized that better research is needed to uncover the benefits of using topical or liquid chlorophyll supplements.
She did note that chlorophyll may hold potential benefits for the skin because “its antioxidant properties help with anti-aging and it also has anti-inflammatory properties to help treat acne” — but again, research remains limited.
A single study on mice did find that drinking chlorophyllin mixed with water may regulate the gut microbiome. But Simon said this doesn’t provide enough evidence for her to recommend it to her clients to boost their gut health.
I started using liquid chlorophyll back in 2018 after it was recommended by the woman who did my yoni steaming (stop judging). And every year since, I use it for 90 days every year. I do feel the benefits of it using it like less bloating and my skin feels less inflamed but like the article said, these can’t be proven. I am always someone who says check in with a holistic physician (basically someone with an MD but who also believes in holistic eastern science). I have found that when I talk with a doctor who has a western education with an eastern mind, we get right down to my issues and healing them quickly and properly.
As far as the claims about liquid chlorophyll healing acne and reducing body odor, I couldn’t tell you because I don’t have acne or a strong body odor. However, I do find that I get less bloating and gassy when I use chlorophyllin. I find it interesting that that chlorophyllin regulated the gut microbiome in rats. I agree with the doctors and nutritionist that no one thing is ever the answer. We should stop looking for lightning in a bottle treatments that are quick and easy. Sometimes just doing the work will reap the better and longlasting benefits. If you decide you wish to try some of these trends, do your research and ask questions. With that being said, I would like to warn everyone that NO ONE should be getting medical advice from TikTok unless maybe the TikToker is an actual doctor or nutritionist with credentials.
This dietician reveals that a cup of spinach is about the same as a dropper of chlorophyll.
@stephgrassodietitian See comments for my OPINION on liquid chlorophyll #liquidchlorophyll #chlorophyll #dietitian #learnontiktok
@__iamthebeast__
Photos credit: Alisha Mishra on Pexels and via Instagram and TikTok
I’m cautious about tiktokers recommending anything that goes into my body or on my face unless they are a medical professional or someone qualified, but chlorophyll used for its gut microbiome benefits intrigues me. I’m not very gassy, but I do tend to get bloated so I might try some chlorophyll for a couple of weeks to see how it goes.
Me too!! They are only paid to hawk this crap! I wouldn’t trust any of these products that pop up on Tiktok or IG, which makes me crazy!! I also find that many supplements tout these benefits but since they aren’t regulated by the FDA, I am cautious about putting nothing in my body, plus you need to take into account as to what these supplements may have in interfering in your prescription meds. Eat spinach instead.
Chlorophyll is a scam that dates back to the 50s. At the end of the day there’s not any real proof of it doing anything outside of placebo affect. Most studies can’t be replicated and were incredibly flawed.
Oh man, as a teen in the early 2000s my friends and I used to drink chlorophyll water all the time because one of our moms (who was a homeopath) said it would cure our acne. It didn’t cure anything but I kind of enjoyed drinking dark green water! It’s so funny seeing it become popular now.
Same!!! It was a trend at my job in the early 2000’s (I think we were hoping for weightloss?). And while I don’t remember it doing anything specifically for me, I enjoyed drinking vaguely minty green water lol
When hiking w a new date, I’d put it into water bottle for better breath.
Mine is Minty? Not sure if that’s an additive? Back then I had abs for crop tops & low rise jeans. All I cared about was attraction. Health schmealth, I wanted to be sexy!!!
I think I was in my late 20’s when I was drinking this stuff. 1990’s. I don’t remember it doing anything for me, but I was young and my body hadn’t started falling apart yet. It had nothing to correct. Maybe I should try it again.
One of my kids is a particularly stinky sweater and when she takes this she doesn’t even need to wear deodorant – and she usually has to wear clinical strength. I’m a believer!
I have taken chlorophyll tablets to help me adjust to high altitudes since, like Oya, I live in sea level Houston. They seem to help, but I did not notice any other impacts on my skin or gut.
I have a question for anyone that uses it or Oya.
When you use it and feel these benefits, are you cleansing your system any other way of just going about your day to day (no significant change in diet or routine) and also adding chlorophyllin?
Hi Wiglet Watcher, I had not changed my diet or my habits in anyway. I just added chlorophyllin to my routine. Hope this helps.
I remember my mom giving me liquid chlorophyll, along with some other herbal remedies, for my allergies. I was a kid, and I’m mid-30s for context, so I wonder if it was the exact same stuff? Mostly I just remember that it tasted a whole lot better mixed with orange juice than it did on its own!
If it’s the same as a cup of spinach I’ll just stick with my spinach. I’m vegetarian and love adding spinach to everything, smoothies, omelets, tacos, pizza, whatever! I tried forcing myself to eat kale but just don’t like it, so spinach is my dark green go-to. That being said, I have taken probiotics for years and feel they really do help with my digestion and bloating.
I’d be interested in trying this. Anyone have a good brand to recommend?
I live in a high altitude, desert town and tourists who get altitude sickness are recommended to use it to help them adjust. I’ve added it to water and it has a algae taste IMO. Probably has a lot of antioxidants though!
I’m going hiking next month at 12,000 feet. Normally, I take baby aspirin before but might try this.
I use chlorophyll tablets when I travel to high altitudes as I get altitude sickness pretty easily. They really seem to work for me. Tablets may be easier than a liquid while hiking too.
I’d rather have spinach.
I used to take the Now brand, I believe that’s the minty one. I never noticed any benefits but everyone is different and it doesn’t seem to have any harmful side effects. I used to take super blue green algae and that stuff was amazing but expensive.
Whaaaa? I have “idiopathic” gastroparesis and literally can’t digest raw fruits or vegetables (or beans, nuts, or legumes), so this sounds amazing?! I take a lot of liquid supplements but have never even HEARD of this
@Oya.
You should do a piece on yoni cleansing. No judgement. Just curious to hear your feedback…since I don’t trust a word from Goop.