Move over green juice…chlorophyll has taken the spotlight in the world of wellness beverages. You’ll find this plant-powered ingredient at juice bars, hip cafes, cocktail bars, beauty boutiques, and, of course, in wellness bloggers’ pantries.
Chlorophyll may not be as sexy as matcha or acai, but its detox and healing powers—plus emerald-green good looks—elevate it to superfood status.
So, what is chlorophyll, anyway?
Chlorophyll is a pigment that gives plants their green color and is responsible for the absorption of light in the process of photosynthesis (5th grade biology, anyone?). It is known to be a potent antioxidant [source] with cancer-preventing effects [source]. It’s also chock full of vitamins and minerals and has tons of health benefits! And it happens to be my go-to hangover cure.
Chlorophyll’s body benefits:
-Promotes the production of liver enzymes to improve detoxification
-Binds to toxins and carcinogens to transport them safely out of the body
-Cleanses the body’s elimination systems (bowels, liver, blood)
-Reduces bad breath and body odor
-Helps build red blood cells, which improves oxygen transport throughout the body
-Boosts energy
-Lowers inflammation
-Has strong antioxidant effects
-Supports immunity
-Decreases hunger and aids in weight loss
You can up your chlorophyll intake by consuming more green, leafy vegetables. The deeper, darker the green, the more chlorophyll the plant contains. Think: spinach, arugula, collard greens, swiss chard, and kale.
Fresh herbs are also wonderful sources of chlorophyll, so add parsley, cilantro, basil, and dill liberally to your meals to boost flavor and nutrition. In addition, you can get heaps of chlorophyll when you include blue-green algae and green algae, like spirulina and chlorella, to your smoothies, lattes, and popsicles.
If you (or your kids!) struggle to get in a few servings of leafy greens each day, not to worry—you can sneak ‘em in with a chlorophyll supplement! Chlorophyllin, a semi-synthetic sodium copper salt derived from chlorophyll, is found in health food stores as liquid chlorophyll.
It comes in a dropper, so you can easily add drops of liquid chlorophyll to any drink as it doesn’t taste like much. (I use this one.) Chlorophyll water is like a green juice without the $9 price tag. Winning!
Make your own chlorophyll detox limeade at home with the recipe below. Sip it pre- or post-workout, after a big night out, when you need to beat the 3 p.m. slump, or any other time of day you need an energy boost.
📖 Recipe
Chlorophyll Detox Limeade
Ingredients
- 8 ounces filtered water
- 30 drops liquid chlorophyll
- Juice of 1 lime
- 5 fresh mint leaves
- Tiny pinch of sea salt*
Instructions
- Mix all the ingredients together in a blender. Blend on high for 10 seconds.
- Top with ice and drink up!
Notes
This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Gina Jansheski, a licensed, board-certified physician who has been practicing for more than 20 years. Learn more about Hello Glow's medical reviewers here. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.
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