MedShadow - Chlorophyll: TikTok Fad Offers Questionable Benefits
The new, old superfood chlorophyll has reemerged after decades of dormancy and is making the rounds on TikTok.
To take it, these enthusiasts add a dropper full of the emerald green liquid to their water, mix and drink it. They claim that after a period of days or weeks, it clears up their skin, helps them lose weight and maybe even prevents cancer. While the known side effects of chlorophyll are limited to minor stomach upset, there’s very little evidence to support its purported benefits. Since it’s a supplement, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate it.
“It [chlorophyll] has been shown to possess antioxidant properties and disease-fighting potential much like other phytonutrients in the rainbow of plant pigments,” says Charlotte Martin, RD, author of The Plant-Forward Solution. “But claims of chlorophyll being the cure-all for a slew of conditions, like acne, weight struggles, inflammation and more are largely unsubstantiated.”