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You can’t really say much about the health benefits of chlorophyll without thinking ‘green.’ That’s because chlorophyll is green. The green pigment in plants.
When I first started drinking wheatgrass decades ago, I wasn’t even aware of what exactly made it so beneficial. And ditto for all the other greens I ate. I mean, I knew they were healthy. I knew they had lots of vitamins and minerals. And I definitely knew I ate a little ‘outside the box,’ or at least back then it was.
But beyond that I had very little knowledge of the science or nutrition of plants. Or why exactly all those deep green salads or spirulina smoothies I made were so immensely invigorating. Or precisely how a bowl of mixed greens and sprouts were nutritionally superior to a greasy cheeseburger or bucket of fries.
In fact had you asked me back then why I ate that way and wasn’t a fan of the typical American diet—processed foods and the like—I probably would’ve shrugged and said something like, I dunno. I just like it. It’s probably healthier, one would think . . .
And ditto for just about everything else I ate that seemed so odd and out of step with those around me.
It was only later—much later after I finished grad school and became a devoted researcher on all the topics I adored—particularly health, fitness, and integrative medicine—that I finally learned the science of living foods.
And the beauty—essentiality—of raw chlorophyll.
How it uploads into plants.
But importantly, how it fuels us.
If you’re anything like me and forgot just about everything you learned in grade school science short of the exact formations of trees and sunlight and skittering birds outside a bleary window, here’s a refresher on photosynthesis and chlorophyll from National Geographic, which, significantly, concludes like this:
“Chlorophyll can be considered a foundation for all life on Earth.”
Repeat: Chlorophyll can be considered a foundation for all life on Earth.
Which is kind of important, right? Without chlorophyll, we’d all be dead:
“There are many different types of pigments in nature, but chlorophyll is unique in its ability to enable plants to absorb the energy they need to build tissues. Chlorophyll is located in a plant’s chloroplasts, which are tiny structures in a plant’s cells. This is where photosynthesis takes place. . . . [and] because food webs in every type of ecosystem, from terrestrial to marine, begin with photosynthesis, chlorophyll can be considered a foundation for all life on Earth.”
In short, chlorophyll facilitates one of the most astonishing events of Mother Nature. You can learn more about that here.
One of the key reasons why chlorophyll is so epic is it’s a perfect molecular match for human blood. In fact the only difference between chlorophyll and hemoglobin—our blood—is chlorophyll rocks magnesium and hemoglobin rocks iron as their central elements.
Beyond that, the two are nearly an identical match. Which is exactly why people call chlorophyll the green blood of plants. It’s akin to our own human blood.
It’s also,“ as Steve Meyerowitz notes, “as close to the molecular structure of human blood as anything on the planet.”
Which makes it immensely bioavailable.
We’re designed to consume chlorophyll!
Chlorophyll is called . . .
- Nature’s Sunshine.
- Living Battery.
- Energizer Bunny.
- Nature’s greatest healer.
- Condensed solar energy.
- Concentrated sun power.
- Nature’s green magic.
- Light harvester.
- Green blood.
And it rocks every benefit under the sun:
- Boosts red & white blood cells.
- Cleanses & detoxifies.
- Reduces inflammation.
- Oxygenates blood.
- Fights oxidative stress.
- Boosts metabolism.
- Improves digestion.
- Mitigates disease.
- Supports vascular health.
- Boosts heart-health.
- Nourishes the biome.
- Supports brain-health.
- Curbs insulin resistance.
- Alkalizes the blood.
- Increases longevity.
- Strengthens the immune system.
- Boosts fitness & muscle recovery.
- Promotes skin health.
- Aids wound healing.
- Ramps energy & curbs fatigue.
- Supports reproductive health.
- Deodorizes the body.
- Improves cognition.
- Supports mental health.
- Promotes restful sleep.
- Natural sunscreen.
According to one report, chlorophyll “increases the functions of the heart, affects the vascular system, the intestines, the uterus, and the lungs. It raises the basic nitrogen exchange and is therefore a tonic which, considering its stimulating properties, cannot be compared with any other.”
In addition, it mitigates “carcinogens like no other food or medicine can. It acts to strengthen the cells, detoxify the liver and bloodstream, and chemically neutralize the polluting elements themselves.”
It sports “antioxidant, antimutagenic, antigenotoxic, anti-cancer, and anti-obesogenic activities,” shows studies.
The telltale sign that chlorophyll is present in a plant is the color green, and the deeper and darker the green and sometimes purplish shade, the greater its content.
Which is exactly why dark leafy greens and other viridescent plants are so rich. They rock chlorophyll in spades. 🥬 🌱🌿
Such as . . .
- Wheatgrass.
- Barley grass.
- Spinach.
- Spirulina.
- Chlorella.
- Mustard greens.
- Collard greens.
- Alfalfa.
- Sprouts.
- Phytoplankton.
- Blue green algae.
- Microgreens.
- Arugula.
- Parsley.
- Basil.
- Broccoli.
- Cilantro.
- Green cabbage.
- Green tea.
- Asparagus.
- Green peas.
- Green beans.
Generally speaking, most organic green plants and sea organisms such as algae and planktons contain some chlorophyll. One study found that dark leafy greens like spinach are an epic source.
And it’s huge in grass: “Whenever anyone talks about the healing powers of grass, they mention chlorophyll first. Grasses, along with alfalfa and algae, are the richest sources of chlorophyll on the planet.”
I personally drink raw organic juices like wheatgrass and barley grass for chlorophyll and more. According to one report, wheatgrass rocks 70%. It’s called ‘green blood juice’ for that reason.
And barley’s just as good.
To obtain the full chlorophyll benefits of grasses I suggest growing them yourself, cutting at about 9” tall, and consuming (juicing) within a couple of hours.
Some health food stores sell wheatgrass in trays, but barley grass is harder to find. You typically have to grow it yourself.
You can also chew grass raw if you don’t have a machine. To get a juicer and seeds tap below:
There’s been a lot of buzz lately about chlorophyllin drinks and supplements, so here’s what semi-synthetic chlorophyllin is:
“Chlorophyllin is a semi-synthetic mixture of sodium copper salts derived from chlorophyll. During the synthesis of chlorophyllin, the magnesium atom at the center of the ring is replaced with copper and the phytol tail is lost. Unlike natural chlorophyll, chlorophyllin is water-soluble. Although the content of different chlorophyllin mixtures may vary, two compounds commonly found in commercial chlorophyllin mixtures are trisodium copper chlorin and disodium copper chlorin.”
Some reports suggest that semi-synthetic derived chlorophyllin may be effective at reducing liver cancer as well as promoting other health benefits.
According to the Linus Pauling Institute, “Chlorophyllin has been used orally as an internal deodorant and topically in the treatment of slow-healing wounds for more than 50 years without any serious side effects.”
Another study reports that sodium copper chlorophyllin tablets are well absorbed.
However, an article in the Oxford Journal of Nutrition found that ‘natural’ chlorophyll in whole plants is more effective than chlorophyllin at fighting colon cancer—a leading cause of death in the United States.
Which is just another reason to rock blue green algae and leafy green plants with additional phytochemicals onboard, like spirulina, sprouts, wheatgrass, barley grass, chlorella, and matcha green tea.
You can also get chlorophyll on Amazon in extracts, detox packs, and more:
Liquid Chlorophyllin Side Effects
Since chlorophyllin drinks and supplements are usually not regulated, make sure and purchase from a reputable brand (like the ones above).
You should consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have medical conditions or you’re taking prescription drugs.
Chlorophyll Side Effects
Tapping chlorophyll from raw living plants and sea organisms is generally safe. Extracts and smoothie powders are for doubling up.
If you’re able to grow your own food such as wheatgrass, barley grass, and sprouts, that’s ideal. Along with rich leafy greens and other nutrient-dense raw living plants. 🌱 💚
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The medical and health topics covered on the Plate of Grass website and blog have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to prevent or cure any disease. This article and its content is presented ‘as is’ for informational purposes only.
