When You Take A Chlorophyll Supplement, This Is What Happens To Your Body

If you think back to that one science lesson in middle school that you were paying attention to, you might remember the word chlorophyll. The term refers to the pigment that makes plants green, and it's responsible for light absorption. While chlorophyll is crucial to plants' existence, many people have started consuming it for its supposed health benefits. 

There's still room for more research in this realm, but there are some promising testimonies and studies that might make you give it a try. You can naturally get chlorophyll from green plants such as kale and spinach, but this chlorophyll might not stay in your system long enough for it to be absorbed (via Healthline). In that sense, if you want to try the health benefits of chlorophyll, your best option is to consume supplements or use it in a topical form. When you buy chlorophyll supplements, what you're getting is chlorophyllin, which is a derivative of chlorophyll which is supposed more easily-absorb by our bodies (via Medical News Today).

According to the Cleveland Clinic, chlorophyllin copper complex can be used topically to treat wounds, as it removes dead cells and sanitizes. A 2015 study showed that the same component could be used to treat acne, showing improvements in just a matter of weeks. While there is a long history of using chlorophyll-derived unguents to treat the skin, the health benefits of consuming it have been less tested (via Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University). 

A 2018 study on pancreatic cancer in mice showed that chlorophyll could help stop the proliferation of cancer cells. More testing needs to be done in humans, but this might be enough reason for someone to start consuming chlorophyll which, after all, isn't toxic for humans (just be sure to know how cancer can manifest itself in symptoms). There's some research that suggests it may also help reduce anemia, because chlorophyll has a similar chemical composition to hemoglobin, a protein in charge of carrying oxygen in the red blood cells. 

However, it's important to consume chlorophyll in moderation since it might lead to diarrhea and digestive problems. In any case, it's important to consult your doctor if you are a pregnant or breastfeeding woman wanting to take chlorophyll supplements, as there is no thorough research within those two groups (via Healthline).