Chlorophyll, the substance that makes plants green, is found in food and supplements. Learn about the potential benefits and risks of chlorophyll.

Health Benefits of Chlorophyll

Chlorophyll is a naturally occurring pigment that gives plants their dark green color. Chlorophyll is also necessary for photosynthesis, the process in which plants use sunlight to get nutrients from carbon dioxide and water.

While it is found in leafy green plants and herbs, chlorophyll—and compounds derived from chlorophyll—is also used in dietary supplements as a form of alternative medicine. For example, liquid chlorophyll is a popularly used chlorophyll supplement.

Some research has found that chlorophyll has antioxidant properties and may provide certain health benefits, like reducing inflammation. However, research into the potential benefits of chlorophyll supplements is still limited and ongoing.

Benefits of Chlorophyll

Research suggests that chlorophyll may improve health and well-being in multiple ways.

Has Powerful Antioxidant Properties

Chlorophyll functions as an antioxidant, which has several potential health benefits.

Antioxidants have been shown to fight against oxidative stress, which is thought to trigger cellular damage and disease.

Having a diet rich in antioxidants may be able to help fight against the effects of aging and lower your risk for a number of serious health conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and cancer.

May Be Helpful for Inflammatory Conditions

Chlorophyll contains anti-inflammatory compounds, such as phytol, that help reduce inflammation throughout the body.

According to some research, taking chlorophyll supplements could reduce swelling and pain in people with inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. More research is needed to confirm these early findings.

Could Be Helpful for Iron-deficiency Anemia

Research shows chlorophyll is similar to hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to the rest of the body. In some cases, chlorophyll may be able to mimic the actions of hemoglobin.

This could be beneficial for health conditions with a lack of hemoglobin, such as iron-deficiency anemia, a condition in which the body does not produce enough red blood cells, leading to low iron in the body.

Other research in China based on a Chinese medicine formula (Shengxuening, or SXN, derived from silkworm fecal matter) also showed that chlorophyll supplements may help treat this type of anemia.

Chlorophyll may work to treat certain kinds of iron-deficiency anemia and other blood disorders that have low red blood cell counts. However, more research is needed to determine if chlorophyll supplements are a suitable complementary medicine to accompany other treatments for anemia.

May Benefit Skin Health

For many years, sodium copper chlorophyllin—a mixture made with chlorophyll compounds—has been used to promote wound healing when applied to the skin. More recently, some research has found that topically applying sodium copper chlorophyllin could also have several benefits for the skin. These benefits include:

• Treating acne
• Reducing pore size
• Reducing facial redness
• Improving overall skin texture
• Preventing the loss of hyaluronic acid, a compound that keeps skin moisturized

Where to buy Chlorophyll

Good Sources of Chlorophyll

Chlorophyll is found naturally in green plants and herbs. Some examples of chlorophyll-rich foods include:

• Spinach
• Alfalfa
• Parsley
• Wheatgrass
• Nettle
• Asparagus
• Basil
• Collard greens
• Seaweed

Chlorophyll can also be taken as a dietary supplement in liquid or tablet form. These supplements typically contain chloroph//