Countless influencers on Tiktok are toasting the camera with green water. What is this? The cups contain chlorophyll water, which is said to improve the appearance of the skin and boost the immune system.
This trend may take some getting used to (you don’t usually drink green water every day!), but it’s absolutely true: there are over 78 million posts under #chlorophyll water.
You can also mix green water, which everyone loves to drink, if you want: Add a few drops of chlorophyll to iced water. One glass a day should be enough to achieve the desired results.
What exactly is chlorophyll?
However, before consuming chlorophyll, the question arises: What is this chemical-sounding term? Basically, they are natural pigments formed by photosynthesizing plants. Chlorophylls enable plants to get energy from light.
Chlorophyll is also found in some herbs or vegetables, such as parsley, spinach, broccoli or cucumbers. With the help of these green foods, we unconsciously consume chlorophyll.
Studies are of low quality
The mixture is lauded online as an immunity and beauty booster. It is said to beautify the skin—it even clears acne scars—and boosts the immune system. Chlorophyll is believed to increase the production of red blood cells in the body. This means that organs, including the skin, receive more oxygen and nutrients.
As Rosalia Luketina, 37, a plastic surgeon at the Skinmed Clinic for Plastic Surgery and Dermatology at Lenzburg AG, explains, there are a few studies on chlorophyll supplements, but they are of pretty low scientific quality and not very meaningful. “While chlorophyll are natural pigments produced by photosynthesizing plants, chlorophyll doesn’t have the same effect in our bodies,” warns Luketina. After all, we would have none of the mechanisms plants use for photosynthesis. According to the expert, people only produce chlorophyll in the urine.
Droplet or capsule form
However, if you want to try the trend yourself, you can find chlorophyll in pharmacies in the form of drops or capsules. In any case, it is better to consult a doctor before taking them to make sure that chlorophyll supplements are the right thing to do.
Luketina recommends testing the effects of chlorophyll on leafy green vegetables. “This exerts a greater antioxidant effect, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, or other active ingredients with antioxidant effects, and can provide an improvement in the appearance of the skin.” The expert concludes: “We are not plants!”