BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM
Green food = healthy food. That’s the logic fueling the surge in “chlorophyll water” videos we’re seeing on our social feeds. Influencers swear that this emerald tonic (usually a liquid derivative called sodium copper chlorophyllin or SCC) is an antioxidant powerhouse that clears skin, freshens breath, and makes you glow.
Science, however, raises an eyebrow. While chlorophyll does have interesting properties, the evidence for it as a cure-all is thin. As Rachel Kopec, associate professor of human nutrition at Ohio State University, explains, “Most of the chlorophyll, like greater than 95 percent of what you or I might eat from a green plant, is excreted in the feces.” In other words: most of it passes right through you.
What chlorophyll actually is
Chlorophyll is the pigment that makes plants green and helps them photosynthesize. Naturally, it’s fat-soluble and doesn’t blend with water. That’s why the liquid supplement is a lab-modified version, SCC, which replaces magnesium with copper and is made water-soluble. SCC has been safely used as a food coloring for decades and, more recently, as a supplement.
A history of healing (sort of)
Interest in chlorophyll isn’t new. In the 1940s, tests suggested chlorophyllin could fight bacteria and aid wound healing. Later, it was marketed internally to reduce unpleasant odors for patients with colostomies. But the research here was mixed: early tests lacked strong controls, and later studies showed chlorophyll wasn’t more effective than a placebo.
As dermatologist Joshua Zeichner of Mount Sinai Hospital notes, some benefits may come from the copper in SCC, not the chlorophyll itself.
Does it fight toxins?
Lab studies suggest SCC has antioxidant effects, and some animal trials found it may reduce damage from carcinogens. The only proven human studies involved people in Qidong, China, where aflatoxin exposure is high. There, chlorophyllin reduced DNA damage from the toxin. Outside of such contexts, there’s no evidence it fights cancer in everyday settings.
Kopec emphasizes: “Claims that taking chlorophyll as a once-daily supplement will protect you from cancer are unfounded. The safer bet might just be to eat something green with every meal.”
Skin care, smell, and social media hype
A handful of small studies suggest topical chlorophyllin could reduce acne, redness, and sun damage. But oral supplements haven’t been studied for skin benefits. As for the bad-breath cure? Many liquid chlorophyll products are flavored with peppermint, so the minty effect may be doing the heavy lifting.
Is it safe?
Eating spinach or parsley is obviously safe and nutritious. Supplements in small doses appear safe too, though some people report diarrhea, discolored urine, or sun sensitivity. The bigger concerns are cost and quality control. Supplements aren’t tightly regulated, and, as Kopec points out, “Once you start concentrating anything, there’s always risks of toxicity.”
Excess copper, for instance, could be harmful if manufacturing is sloppy. Zeichner adds that the biggest danger so far is “to your pocketbook.” A tiny $20 bottle of drops may only last a couple of weeks.
The verdict
If chlorophyll water makes you feel good, it’s unlikely to hurt in moderation. But don’t expect it to replace sunscreen, chemotherapy, or a balanced diet. The real, well-proven solution? Load up on leafy greens the old-fashioned way. They’re cheaper, safer, and give you fiber and vitamins along with the chlorophyll.
As Zeichner puts it: “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”
