How to Get Chlorophyll In Your Daily Diet

The Best Ways to Get Chlorophyll in Your Diet

Chlorophyll is responsible for the green color of your leaves. It’s involved in photosynthesis, converting sunlight into energy used by plants, and it helps them store energy in the form of starches and sugars while releasing oxygen. It is being touted as possible support for cancer treatment, as well as numerous other ailments from indigestion to heart disease ( 1 ).

Chlorophyll is essential to your body’s ability to bring fresh oxygen into the bloodstream. This is because it triggers blood circulation and cleanses the lymphatic system of any waste products, excess fats, or toxins ( 2 )

That means chlorophyll can support:

• The immune system while preventing tumor growth;
• Strong teeth and bones because it helps to detoxify your body;
• Healthy digestion through better blood flow.

The alkalizing effect of chlorophyll has also been proven to help manage:

• Diabetes;
• Kidney disease;
• Prostate cancer;
• Heart disease;
• Breast cancer.
• And so much more! It is really so super powerful!

Chlorophyll, The Blood Cleanser

Chlorophyll is so good for the blood because structurally it is so similar to hemoglobin, the substance that carries oxygen in blood cells.

It is believed that chlorophyll can therefore substitute for hemoglobin due to their similarities.

Like hemoglobin, chlorophyll has an iron atom at its center, and like hemoglobin, it also has a molecule called porphyrin that surrounds it and transports gases between the plant and other organisms.

Simply put, chlorophyll-rich foods can replace hemoglobin in our bodies and carry oxygen around to where it is needed most.

The nature of the chlorophyll molecule is such that it turns red when it has bound with a molecule of iron and green when it hasn’t. This means that raw chlorophyll can be seen changing color from red to green as it breaks down in the body.

Chlorophyll also contains magnesium and sulfur which, when combined with iron in a process known as oxidative stress, creates powerful antioxidants that help prevent damage to our cells and fight against free radicals.

Chlorophyll is Powerfully Alkaline

Chlorophyll is the most powerful natural detoxifying agent on the planet. It has the ability to remove harmful substances and neutralize acids from your body ( 3 ).

The chlorophyll breaks down organic pollutants like pesticides and industrial chemicals naturally, which is why a diet rich in chlorophyll can be so helpful during detoxification.

It is also alkalizing to your body while neutralizing acids that are harmful to your health.

It’s essential we get as much chlorophyll into our daily diet as possible, and here are 12 simple steps to get you started!

The 9 Best Ways to Get Chlorophyll Every Day

#1: Wheatgrass Juice

One of the best ways to get chlorophyll into your diet is by drinking wheatgrass juice, available in stores or online. Just as it’s good for your lawn, wheatgrass is a potent detoxifier and protects against any type of cancer ( 3 ).

It’s rich in chlorophyll — the green pigment that gives grass its color. Wheatgrass juice is produced by grinding uncooked wheat berries into a pulp. This process releases chlorophyll, enzymes, trace minerals, and vitamins into the juice.

Wheatgrass is high in antioxidants, compounds that protect your body from damaging free radicals ( 4 ). Free radicals are rogue molecules that float around in our bodies looking for “nice” cells to damage. When they find them, they damage DNA and lead to cancer as well as other diseases like Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s ( 5 ).

Antioxidants are known for promoting healthy aging, but they also help to fight cancer. They neutralize free radicals in your body and prevent them from doing any further damage. Studies have found that antioxidants may be particularly helpful in preventing breast, prostate and colon cancers ( 6 ).

Wheatgrass juice is rich in chlorophyll, which helps to cleanse the body of toxic chemicals. It also contains enzymes and antioxidants that work together to eliminate toxins from fat cells and prevent them from being reabsorbed ( 7 ).

In addition, wheatgrass is packed with vitamins A, C and K as well as B complex vitamins, calcium and iron. It has been used for centuries to help heal ulcers and reduce swelling in the respiratory system ( 8 ).

Wheatgrass juice is best taken undiluted. You should take it straight or mixed with your favorite beverage like apple juice in a shot glass. Each day you can work your way up to a maximum of 8 ounces. Wheatgrass juice may taste strong, but you will quickly develop a taste for it.

Whether you’re using commercial wheatgrass juice or growing your own grass (check with a nursery), drink no more than 8 ounces each day. If you experience any stomach pain, nausea or diarrhea, cut back on your intake. The juice may not agree with everyone, so pay attention to how it affects you ( 9 ).

#2: Sprouts

Another excellent way to get chlorophyll into your diet is by sprouting wheatgrass or other seeds and beans. Wheatgrass can be difficult and time-consuming to grow in your garden, but sprouts can be grown indoors in just a few days. Sprouts have been written about for centuries as healing food, with many cultures using them to prevent and treat disease ( 10 ).

They are available at health food stores or you can buy seeds online and grow your own. Wheatgrass seeds are most popular, but alfalfa seeds, mung beans, and lentils make good sprouts as well.

Follow the package directions to grow your own wheatgrass or other types of sprouts. When you’re ready to eat them, rinse them in a colander with cold water until they are free from bugs and sediment ( 11 ). You can use them in a variety of ways, including salads and sandwiches.

Like wheatgrass juice, sprouts are high in chlorophyll. The chlorophyll helps to cleanse your blood and detoxify your body if you’ve been exposed to toxic chemicals or radiation ( 12 ). It also helps prevent the buildup of plaque on your teeth and encourages new tissue growth, as well as the healing of wounds ( 13 ).

Sprouts are high in protein and hold an array of vitamins and minerals. They are a great way to get your daily dose of chlorophyll without having to drink wheatgrass juice. You can eat them raw but you may want to cook them to avoid any bacteria that might be in the growing environment.

#3: Spinach

Spinach is another source of chlorophyll that you can easily add to your diet. It’s low in calories and high in fiber, so you can eat it as a snack or toss it into your favorite salad for a nutritious meal. It’s also an easy way to get a healthy dose of chlorophyll without having to drink wheatgrass juice or grow sprouts.

Spinach is rich in chlorophyll, making it very effective for cleansing and detoxifying your body ( 14 ). It contains vitamins A, C, K and E as well as B-complex vitamins and minerals like calcium, iron, copper, magnesium and potassium. The antioxidants in spinach have been known to prevent the development of cancer cells ( 15 ).

While it’s best known for providing calories and fiber, spinach also has health benefits that help you lose weight. It contains a unique chemical called chlorogenic acid which can help reduce insulin resistance and prevent swelling of your blood vessels. It also helps to lower cholesterol levels ( 16 ).

#4 Green Juices

A freshly-made, alkaline green juice is a fantastic way to get a ton of chlorophyll and all the other wonderful alkaline, anti-inflammatory nutrients you need each day. When you make a green juice to have with (or for) breakfast, you’re almost hitting your daily nutrient needs in one go, before you’ve even left the house!

Green juice gives you the chance to get 4-5 serves of leafy greens, and therefore loads of chlorophyll in one glass!

Ingredients could include cucumber, celery, spinach, kale, parsley, cilantro, lettuce, carrots, beets, turmeric and ginger, depending on your taste. The more leafy greens you can add, the better!

You could even add a scoop of wheatgrass powder too!

#5: Green Smoothies

Similar to green juices, green smoothies give you the chance to pack a LOT of chlorophyll into one glass! While you probably won’t blend celery, you can use all of the other ingredients listed above, and also those healthy fats (which are important as you’ll see below) and other superfoods like cacao, maca, ashwagandha, and so on.

#6: Dark Leafy Greens

Darker greens tend to be richer in chlorophyll than lighter varieties and will give you more of the substance without having to consume wheatgrass or sprouts. A good place to start if you are looking for dark greens is to choose the following:

• Parsley and coriander both have a much darker color than most other greens, which means that they are higher in chlorophyll. They also contain large amounts of Vitamin C, helping to maintain healthy teeth and gums.
• Collard greens are high in fiber (which helps to control your blood sugar), Vitamin K and calcium. They are also a good source of iron which helps you body transport oxygen around your system.
• Kale is probably one of the most famous superfoods around these days, and it’s rich in chloropyll. It’s also high in vitamins A, C, K and B6 as well as calcium, iron and potassium. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce swelling as well as pain caused by arthritis ( 17 ).
  Other greens including Swiss chard, spinach, dandelion greens and mustard greens are also good choices. You can use them in salads or juices or just add them to your meals as a garnish.

If you can’t find these at the grocery store then just look for a darker leaf lettuce. That’s all very high in chlorophyll too!

#7: Aloe Vera Juice and Gel

Aloe vera is a well-known remedy for cuts and burns due to its high levels of healing manganese. It also contains potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus and vitamins B-1, B-2, C and E. The juice of the aloe vera plant is also very high in water content, making it a hydrating drink that helps to keep your body functioning properly. It’s been proven useful for various digestive problems when taken internally and can be soothing if you have a sore throat.

Aloe vera juice contains an abundance of the antioxidant Vitamin C, which helps to maintain healthy skin and reduce wrinkles ( 17 ). If you’re looking for a way to add more chlorophyll to your diet, why not try this? The effects of consuming chlorophyll may be similar to those of aloe vera.

Aloe Vera contains two types of chlorophyll: chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b, giving you a double dose of this green goodness. If you need to heal your stomach lining or have digestive problems such as IBS, using aloe vera juice can bring you the relief that you need.

There are many ways that you can consume aloe vera, including as a drink, juice, in a smoothie or gel. You could even use it for your face and hair by making an infused oil!

#8: Eat Healthy Fats

If you want to maximize your intake of chlorophyll and other phytonutrients in your diet, it’s important to balance them with healthy fats from avocado, olive oil or raw nuts and seeds. These can help you absorb nutrients that you may otherwise be lacking in your diet ( 26 ).

#9: Get Your Daily Dose of Sunshine

Sunshine is one of the best ways to improve your body’s ability to absorb and use chlorophyll. In fact, chlorophyll production naturally decreases in the presence of sun exposure ( 28 ).

#10: Take a Chlorophyll Supplement

If you want to get more chlorophyll in your diet, then it might be a good idea to take an oral supplement.

There are many different brands and varieties available on the market today, so it can be tricky to choose the right one for your needs. If you want to make sure that you’re buying a high-quality product, then look for chlorophyll that:

a) comes from non-GMO seeds

b) does not contain fillers or flavorings (“natural” or artificial) – look for one that is naturally flavoured with something like mint

c) does not contain any sweeteners

You ideally want organic, non-GMO and with as few ingredients as possible.

Let’s Get Started and Get that Chlorophyll

Getting plenty of chlorophyll each day will make a huge difference to your life.

• We’ve covered a lot in this guide, but here are the simple steps to get started:
• Eating chlorophyll-rich foods like wheatgrass can promote better health and help you balance and replenish your bod
• Wheatgrass is one of the best sources of chlorophyll, but there are other healthy foods that contain this nutrient as well including any leafy green food like spinach, kale, lettuce, parsley, etc.
• Sprouts are also a great concentrated source of chlorophyll including alfalfa, mung bean and broccoli sprouts
  Sunshine is the best way to increase your body’s absorption of chlorophyll and other nutrients
• You can also take a supplement with your daily dose of sunshine or eat healthy fats that promote absorption (avocado, flax oil or raw nuts and seeds)

Let’s do this!

Ross

References:

• #1: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3365454/#__sec3top
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