3 Benefits of Chlorophyll: Detoxifier, Skin Beautifier, Weight-loss Aid
Super, Super Food
Photo Credit: SAKARA Life
You know it’s important to eat your greens. But some greens are better than others! I’ve recently discovered chlorophyll, and let me tell you: you need this in your life. Whether you want to detox, lose weight, or just give your skin a boost, chlorophyll can help. So, let me give you the low-down on this superfood, what it can do for you, and how you can add it into your daily routine.
What is Chlorophyll?
Chlorophyll is the pigment in plants and algae that enables them to absorb light and transform it into energy. Without it, plants would be neither green nor healthy. We may not be plants, but like them we are beings of the earth, and chlorophyll can support our health too. It does so via two main pathways: reducing inflammation, and supporting gut-health.
Chlorophyll Fights Inflammation
There is no getting away from the fact that our modern way of life goes hand in hand with some degree of chronic inflammation. That’s because we are exposed to hundreds of different man-made chemicals, through the foods we eat, the air we breathe, the products we use, and the amount of stress we’re faced with on a daily basis. Toxins and stress trigger the immune system, causing it to stay on high alert and pump out inflammatory molecules to try to balance things out - this is known as chronic inflammation.
Did you know that chronic inflammation is at the root of many lifestyle diseases such as cancer, auto-immune conditions, obesity, heart disease, acne and even depression? Early signs of inflammation include feeling tired often, skin that just isn’t as clear as it used to be, being unable to concentrate, digestive issues, mood swings, and generally not feeling your best. If you recognize some of these symptoms, your body is sending you a message.
It is important to take notice, and eat foods that help reduce inflammation and support the immune system. A plant-based diet, especially one centered around whole-foods (not vegan junk foods!), can help you with that. And so can adding more chlorophyll to your plate.
Several studies have found that chlorophyll is a powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant: it neutralizes toxins, stops free-radicals from causing damage, and helps your immune system get back to normal. This is good news for a number of reasons, which you’ll find listed in just a moment.
Chlorophyll and your Gut
Your gut holds the key to many aspects of your health. For one, it is the seat of your immune system - if your gut is out of balance, your immune system suffers. And now, more than ever, it is essential we have strong immunity.
Your gut microbiome (the millions of friendly microbes in your digestive system) also plays a role in your mood and how well you are able to digest and absorb nutrients. Again, our modern way of life has a negative impact on our gut bacteria. Scientists believe that almost everyone has some level of dysbiosis (microbiome imbalance) due to an over-abundance of processed foods.
Just like chronic inflammation, dysbiosis can lead to more serious health conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, diabetes, obesity and colon cancer. In the early stages, it manifests as bad breath or body odor, digestive issues, fatigue, brain fog and mood swings. Basically, it is hard to feel your best if your gut health is out of balance! And this is where chlorophyll can help.
A study carried out to examine the effects of chlorophyll on gut microbes found that it rebalanced gut microbiota by reducing the number of “bad” Firmicute bacteria while increasing the number of beneficial Bacteroidetes bacteria.
The 3 Benefits of Chlorophyll
Why should you eat more chlorophyll? Here are my top 3 reasons.
1. Skin-loving & Anti-aging
Many skin conditions, such as acne and eczema, are caused by unbalanced gut bacteria and skin inflammation. Chlorophyll helps reduce inflammation and therefore support skin health. One study found that chlorophyll boosts collagen and repairs sun-damaged skin.
The major cause of premature aging is an over-abundance of toxins and free-radicals. Chlorophyll neutralizes toxins, helping to keep you youthful for longer.
2. Detoxifying
Chlorophyll supports the body to eliminate toxins. The fewer toxins your body has to deal with, the more energy it has to regenerate, heal, and thrive. Strong body odor is often caused by excess toxins and poor gut health, two things chlorophyll helps rebalance.
3. Weight-loss
In a study published in the journal Appetite, scientists found that women who took a supplement containing chlorophyll lost more weight than those not taking a supplement. What’s more, the supplement group also had improved cholesterol levels and decreased appetite. This means that adding chlorophyll to your day can help you achieve your ideal weight.
How to Take Chlorophyll
The easiest, healthiest way to take chlorophyll is to add more green foods to your plate. While all naturally green foods contain chlorophyll, the ones with the highest chlorophyll content are those that are green inside and out (like spinach), as opposed to those that are green on the outside but lighter on the inside (like broccoli). That said, all the foods listed contain other health-boosting nutrients such as fiber and antioxidants, so they’re well worth adding to your diet. Chlorophyll is sensitive to heat, so eat your greens raw - for example in a smoothie.
Chlorophyll-rich foods:
• Moringa
• Wheatgrass
• Alfalfa
• Celery
• Brussels sprouts
• Cilantro
• Matcha green tea
• Dill
• Kale
• Parsley
• Spinach
• Arugula
• Turnip greens, beet greens, carrot tops
• Spirulina
• Chlorella
• Asparagus
• Green peas
• Avocado
• Green olives
• Pistachios
Chlorophyll vs Chlorophyllin Supplements
If you choose to take chlorophyll in supplement form, you will actually be taking chlorophyllin, a chemical made from chlorophyll. Always check the label and choose a product made with organic ingredients and no toxic preservatives. (Make sure you speak to a doctor before taking any new supplement, especially if you’re on medication.)
My favorite way is to take chlorophyll in liquid format , added to water. Another way to really boost your chlorophyll intake is to take moringa powder or wheatgrass powder - add it to your smoothies, or mix it with water and take it as a green shot. I like to start my day with a shot of wheatgrass juice. I can feel the detoxifying, energizing effects almost immediately, and it really sets me up for the day.
Thanks to its anti-inflammatory and gut-friendly properties, chlorophyll will take your health to a new level. This superfood will help you lose weight, detox, and beautify your skin. How will you eat yours?
XOXO, MF
Refs:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10753-011-9399-0
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30564133/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4966572/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24993695/