What is liquid chlorophyll?

Liquid chlorophyll, is a natural green pigment found in the chloroplasts of plants, that play an essential role in photosynthesis. The liquid form of chlorophyll used for consumption is usually extracted from leafy greens such as spinach, parsley and alfalfa. 

The extraction procedure usually involves pulverizing the plant matter and mixing it with a solvent, like ethanol, to draw out the chlorophyll. Once extracted, the liquid is purified and concentrated for use as a dietary supplement or other purposes. Many people refer to liquid chlorophyll as the building block of life because of the high amounts of antioxidants. It’s also touted as a green superfood that has no natural fat.

What is liquid chlorophyll used for?

• -Fight bad breath
• -Reduce body odors
• -Boost immune function
• -Reduce free radicals in the body
• -Improve gut health
• -Support in detoxification
• -Increase blood health
• -Wound healing
• -Overall skin health
• -Increase energy levels

What is the science behind liquid chlorophyll?

Liquid chlorophyll has a range of uses, from being taken as a dietary supplement for general well-being to treat bad breath by freshening it naturally. Some people even apply it topically as a skin healer and deodorant. It is also thought to alleviate inflammation and aid detoxification.

There are a few studies on the benefits of liquid chlorophyll consumption but overall scientific data is very limited. The studies I found are detailed here if you’d like to seek more information. A 2013 study from the Journal of Medicinal Food found it had anti-inflammatory effects. Another study in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry in 2014 also found it had strong antioxidant activity.

In 2018 the Journal of Nutrition found chlorophyllin to be effective in reducing a toxic compound in the blood of humans and animals. The Journal of Wound care conducted a study in 2017 that found a chlorophyll ointment promoted wound healing in rats.

Chlorophyll can also be used to support the immune system and its overall function. Chlorophyll is an amazing and powerful antioxidant that could potentially guard cells from free radical harm, which can lead to long-term inflammation and sickness. Also, some research suggests that chlorophyll may give a boost to the immune system by triggering the creation of white blood cells and increasing the potency of natural killer cells, which help fight off disease and cancer.

There are also several studies showing that liquid chlorophyll was highly successful in removing heavy metals from water sources. These studies haven’t been proven in the human body but many holistic healthcare professionals believe it has the same ability to act as a heavy metal detox for the body.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Liquid Chlorophyll

The FDA has not endorsed liquid chlorophyll as a treatment or preventive measure for any medical condition; however, they have classified it as GRAS, which is recognized as safe for common use in food or other products. You should of course always consult a certified medical professional before implementing any advice you found on the internet. The lack of endorsement from the FDA shouldn’t be cause for concern as they rarely monitor products they consider to be an herbal supplement. 

How do you use or take liquid chlorophyll?

There are a variety of ways to take liquid chlorophyll to meet whatever your needs are. Chlorophyll water is one of the most popular methods. To make this you simply mix it into a glass of water, most manufactures have directions on how to do this for their specific product. Other popular methods are simply taking it as a shot, or just dropping the drops directly into your mouth. 

Depending on what you are trying to achieve you can take it daily, weekly or even less frequently. Some people take it daily for overall health and wellness benefits. Other people choose to take it for a specific amount of time to aid in the body’s natural detoxification processes. 

Many recommend taking it on an empty stomach without anything else mixed with it to achieve maximum benefits.  The empty stomach theory doesn’t have a lot of merit so if that isn’t your preference I wouldn’t worry. There is also a large subsect of people who prefer to take it with a smooth or green juice of some kind to mask some of the earthy taste. I personally prefer to put it in a green smoothie because I find the taste of a shot a bit too intense.

You’ll of course want to again follow the recommendations of a certified healthcare professional and the manufacturer’s recommendations on the best way consume their product.

Is liquid chlorophyll safe for children?

No liquid chlorophyll is not safe for children. Many online sources, non-medical professionals, state that it could be very beneficial for children but the fact is there are no medical studies on the effects of chlorophyll supplementation for children. Kids are still developing and the benefits of any kind of chlorophyll supplementation do not outweigh the unknown risks. As with all supplements its of course important to keep them out of reach of children.

What if I’m not sure I am ready to begin liquid chlorophyll supplementation?

I am extra cautious about supplements I take and prefer to obtain my nutrition from food sources when possible. The following foods are naturally high in chlorophyll, adding these foods to your existing diet and could be a good place to start.

Other foods like broccoli, green beans, and zucchini also contain chlorophyll, as well as some fruits like apples and kiwi. 

Can I make my own liquid chlorophyll?

Yes you can totally make your own liquid chlorophyll at home by juicing some of the greens listed above. Note that this will be different from an actual chlorophyll supplement you buy as those companies specifically extract just the chlorophyll from foods. Juicing is still beneficial but won’t be a straight chlorophyll just a higher concentration than eating the entire vegetable.

Are there negative side effects to liquid chlorophyll supplementation?

Yes there can be. Liquid chlorophyll is usually safe when taken as instructed, and negative side effects are rare. However, mild side effects may occur such as: digestive issues like diarrhea, cramps or nausea; allergic reactions like itching, swelling or shortness of breath; green coloring of urine and/or feces, which is harmless but might be concerning; and photosensitivity, making skin more vulnerable to sunlight and causing irritation or sunburn. 

Additionally, please note that liquid chlorophyll can interfere with certain medications, like blood thinners, and may not be suitable for those with certain medical conditions.

What is the best organic liquid chlorophyll supplement brand on the market?

World Organics Liquid Chlorophyll

World Organic’s Liquid Chlorophyll is the best liquid chlorophyll on the market. This product has over 3300 5 star ratings on Amazon. The chlorophyll is extracted from organic high quality alfalfa leaves and preservative free.

World organic liquid chlorophyll appears to be one of the organic liquid chlorophyll products on the market. There are many liquid chlorophyll products but after extensive research almost no others are organic. I’ve listed a few other liquid chlorophyll products that are not organic but have exceptionally high standards for their products, even more in my opinion than the world organic’s brand.

Benevolent Nourishment

Benevolent Nourishment Liquid Chlorophyll is produced according to GMP (good manufacturing practice) standards which ensures products are manufactured consistently to high quality standards. They also test their products in accordance with GMP standards and their own high quality standards which gives an extra layer of protection for the buyer.

Mary Ruth Organics

Mary Ruth Organics was founded in 2014 and makes a wide variety of supplements including a Vegan Liquid Chlorophyll. This product is testing by a third party lab for quality and safety before launching to the market. It is non-GMO and uses organic fillers such as organic peppermint for flavor and organic vegetable glycerin. This product has over 9000 5 star reviews on Amazon with many people touting the health benefits they have experienced after adding this product to their routine.

Buried Treasure Liquid Chlorophyll

Buried treasure is owned by Life Line Foods company who has been manufacturing health foods since 1969. Buried treasure states they source all products thoroughly from reliable companies world wide to create their high quality products. They also lab test and certify all their products in the USA in FDA and GMP compliant lab. While some of their products appear organic it does not appear the Chlorophyll is but it is Non-GMO. They also have over 2800 5 star reviews on Amazon.

Horabaach Liquid Chlorophyll

Horabaach is a large scale supplement manufacturing company dating back to 1971. They state they carefully source products and ensure they provide the highest quality products at affordable costs to their customers. They have multiple certifications regarding their lab environment and testing standards. They also state they have testing at every stage of their product which guarantees quality and purity. They have over 1600 5 star reviews on amazon but it is noted that many reviewers found the taste to be particularly unpleasant. 

New Age Chlorophyll Liquid Drops

New Age is a brand I’m a bit on the fence about. They do list some of their certifications and standards but do not go into detail about their labs, sourcing or company founding. They are GMP certified but do not mention Non-GMO or organic processes. They have over 4200 5 star reviews from Amazon but multiple people mentioned there is some grain towards the end of the bottom that doesn’t mix into their liquids all the way when consuming. 

While researching liquid chlorophyll supplements to recommend there were several more brands on Amazon that were not high-quality enough to recommend. I won’t call any out here but I urge you to look into the companies that you buy from. Look for companies that seek out certifications for their labs and products. There are several companies that are only on amazon, don’t list any certifications and it’s unclear when or how they began, these are companies I personally would be wary to buy from.

Looking for some more all natural superfoods? Check out my post on the best Manuka honey brands on the market!

23 Best Manuka Honey Brands (2023)