Does Tik Tok's Chlorophyll Trend Live Up To Its Hype?
Tik Tok’s chlorophyll trend is taking the world by storm. Everyone and their mother seems to be trying it. Chlorophyll, the natural pigment that makes plants green, is apparently the coolest new health hack. People are consuming liquid chlorophyll to reap supposed benefits of detoxification, gut health, clear skin and immune system support. Those are just a couple of the “benefits,” the list goes on even further. If everyone’s drinking liquid chlorophyll and apparently going through some sort of photosynthesis, then should you? We did a little background research to see if the infamous chlorophyll routine lives up to its hype.
Whether you’ve realized it or not, we actually already consume chlorophyll, well some of us do. Chlorophyll is already within foods we eat, such as spinach, green beans and kale. It’s the portions of vegetables we may or may not include on our dinner plates. The liquid chlorophyll on Tik Tok is actually chlorophyllin, a “semi-synthetic mixture of water-soluble sodium copper salts derived from chlorophyll,” says Lisa Young, PhD, RDN, registered dietitian.
Social media influences praise liquid chlorophyll for clear skin, debloating and constipation cures, but does it actually do any of those things? The answer is unclear.
There is some evidence of chlorophyll’s benefits, such as decreasing the body’s absorption of aflatoxin B — a toxin produced by a fungus that’s linked to an increased risk of developing liver cancer. There is also evidence of using liquid chlorophyll to treat pancreatic cancer. However, there is very little scientific literature surrounding the rest of chlorophyll’s supposed “health miracles” involving detoxification, gastrointestinal conditions, constipation, metabolic disorders, etc.
Tik Toks Explaining Science Behind Chlorophyll “Benefits” and Whether or Not It’s Worth it:
Now that we’ve discovered there really isn’t any evidence to support claims of clear skin or debloating benefits, should you adapt the trend into your own routine? It’s safe to say drinking liquid chlorophyll won’t put your health at risk, but it isn’t an end-all solution to a healthy lifestyle. The drink should not be a substitute for all greens, in fact, experts reveal you actually reap more benefits from eating greens and veggies rather than drinking chlorophyll.
May we suggest putting some spinach in a smoothie, no spinach taste, tons of nutrients, and it makes your smoothie green so you look and feel healthy. It will also have much more flavor than chlorophyll — just saying. Scroll to the end of this article for one of our favorite green smoothie recipes!
We at The Edge might consider giving chlorophyll a try. We love experimenting with new trends; however, we will definitely keep this information in mind moving forward. Remember, chlorophyll is a supplement, not a replacement for greens. Eat yo greens.
Feel Good Green Smoothie Recipe
(we did not measure this, so bare with us)
1 large handful of spinach
½ of a banana
1 scoop of the vanilla Vega made Simple protein powder
Hemp seeds
1 small spoon-ful natural peanut or almond butter
1 large handful of ice cubes
Water