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What does chlorophyll do for the body?
Learn what chlorophyll does for the body, including how it can support weight loss, hormone regulation, skin health, and more.
We all remember learning about chlorophyll — the vibrant pigment that gives leaves their green color and allows plants to perform photosynthesis — in science class. It turns out that chlorophyll isn't just beneficial for plants — it also holds promise as a health supplement. Research on the effectiveness of chlorophyll in supporting human health is ongoing, and early studies suggest that the pigment may prevent weight gain, help balance hormones, support gut health, and even improve skin clarity. Here, we'll explore how chlorophyll may benefit the body — and how you can get more of it in your diet.
What is chlorophyll?
Chlorophyll is a natural pigment found in plants, algae, and even certain types of bacteria. It plays a key role in photosynthesis, allowing plants to transform UV light into chemical energy. There are two main types of chlorophyll, simply known as chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b, and both are vital for plant life.
Most chlorophyll health supplements are actually made with chlorophyllin, a chemical that's made from chlorophyll. Chlorophyllin maintains many of the natural benefits of chlorophyll, and is also thought to be more stable and more easily absorbed by the body. This chemical provides many of the same benefits as natural chlorophyll, but can also be easily consumed in the form of drops, capsules, or powders.
How chlorophyll may support healthy weight loss
A small 2014 study showed that chlorophyll supplements reduced hunger and increased the body's release of GLP-1, the hormone made famous by weight loss drugs like semaglutide (Ozempic/ Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro/ Zepound). The study compared two groups of overweight women. The group that supplemented with chlorophyll felt less hungry, lost more weight, experienced fewer sugar cravings, and lowered their cholesterol levels more than the group that didn't supplement with chlorophyll.
While increasing natural chlorophyll intake or taking chlorophyll supplements isn't a magic bullet for weight loss on its own, early research shows that getting plenty of chlorophyll in the diet may both prevent weight gain and help to support healthy weight loss. Studies indicate that chlorophyll can help to regulate hormones like ghrelin, which can help to reduce appetite and cravings. This can make it easier to feel full, and may help people who are trying to lose weight feel less hungry while eating in a caloric deficit. Foods that are naturally high in chlorophyll (like green vegetables) tend to have high amounts of fiber, as well as a high water content, both of which can be helpful when trying to lose weight.
Chlorophyll has also shown promise in supporting healthy blood sugar levels, making it potentially a useful supplement for people who have diabetes as well as those who have insulin resistance. It's possible that this effect occurs because chlorophyll slows the absorption of carbohydrates in the gut. Many people experience an energy crash and an increased urge to overeat following a carb-heavy meal. Eating or supplementing with chlorophyll may help to prevent the blood sugar crash often associated with eating high amounts of carbohydrates.
The pigment also shows promise in supporting the body's natural detoxification processes, which can be helpful for those who are trying to lose weight. Some chlorophyll supplements claim that they support healthy energy levels, but this has yet to be backed up by research.
Chlorophyll for hormones
From mood to metabolism, our body's processes are governed by hormones. Chlorophyll may offer some indirect support for endocrine (hormone) system health.
Chlorophyll supports the liver as it works to remove toxins from the body. In addition to removing waste products and foreign substances, the liver also works to remove excess hormones from the body. Chlorophyll works to support the liver's natural processes, which may help to naturally balance hormone levels.
Many studies point to the natural anti-inflammatory effects of chlorophyll. The pigment shows promise in reducing inflammation, which is at the root of many hormone-related issues (like polycystic ovary syndrome), thyroid disorders, and insulin resistance. Chlorophyll's anti-inflammatory properties may help to calm the immune system and reduce oxidative stress on the body, supporting more stable endocrine system function.
Chlorophyll benefits for gut health
Chlorophyll is a prebiotic, meaning it works to provide food for the "good" bacteria in the gut. This can help to support healthy digestion, improve nutrient absorption, and support a healthy immune system. While more research is needed, early studies have shown that chlorophyll supplements may help to reduce the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Unlike some gut health supplements, chlorophyll is known for being especially gentle. One of the most well-known properties of chlorophyll is its ability to act as an internal deodorant in the digestive tract, which can work to prevent body odor and bad breath from the inside out.
How chlorophyll benefits skin
Research suggests that chlorophyll may be a powerful agent to support skin healing. Most of the studies used topical chlorophyll as opposed to ingested supplements to explore the effect of the pigment on skin. Small studies have shown that topical chlorophyll may help to reduce acne, reduce the effects of sun damage, and reduce visible signs of skin aging.
Chlorophyll's potential ability to support the body's natural detoxification processes may also support skin health. Support of these pathways may be especially helpful for people who are dealing with eczema, rosacea, acne, and other skin conditions that can be triggered by internal imbalances. To reap these benefits, you'll need to ingest chlorophyll or chlorophyllin, rather than just use a topical ointment.
How to get chlorophyll
If you're ready to start enjoying the benefits of chlorophyll, you have plenty of options. Clean eating — enjoying a diet that highly emphasizes unprocessed, whole foods — can be a smart way to start. Leafy greens, dark green vegetables, seaweed, spirulina, and wheatgrass are all rich in chlorophyll. Green grapes, broccoli, parsley, and green beans are also good sources of chlorophyll. Adding greens to fresh juice or a morning smoothie can be a delicious way to boost your chlorophyll intake.
To achieve therapeutic levels, however, you may need to use supplements. Chlorophyllin is widely available in liquid form, capsules, powders, and even gummies. Most people who use chlorophyll supplements use between 100 and 300 milligrams per day.
Side effects of chlorophyll supplements
As with any supplement, it's important to talk with your healthcare provider about whether chlorophyll supplementation is a good fit for your health. Talk with your doctor if you're pregnant or breastfeeding and curious about chlorophyll supplements. It's also important to talk with your doctor about whether chlorophyll supplementation is a good fit for you if you're taking antibiotics, acne medications, or antidepressants, as chlorophyll may interact with these drugs, potentially increasing your sensitivity to UV rays.
At Evidation, we're in your corner when it comes to making healthy decisions
Whether you're just getting started with exploring your gut health or you've been working to become your healthiest self for years, the team at Evidation is here to help you take meaningful steps toward wellness. When you download the Evidation app, you'll be prompted to share the health data you're already tracking (from a wearable fitness tracker, your nutrition app, or a sleep tracker, for example). We'll use the data you choose to share to find patterns and connections, offering you valuable insights that can help you make sense of your data and develop concrete steps that drive your health journey forward.
Click here to learn more about how Evidation works and get started today.
Why you might be stuck in your health goals
We’ve all been there — the “new year, new me” mindset where the first few months of the year we quickly shift our habits in order to become a better version of ourselves. However, right as the ball gets rolling, the progress suddenly stops.
We’ve all been there — the “new year, new me” mindset where the first few months of the year we quickly shift our habits in order to become a better version of ourselves. However, right as the ball gets rolling, the progress suddenly stops. Why am I not running as far? Why am I not losing any more weight? What am I doing wrong? Here are 5 key points we found that might have you stuck with your health goals (hint: it’s not your fault!)
1. The Inevitable Plateau
According to a Washington post article, once you gain the initial traction, there will be an inevitable plateau. It’s actually part of the journey. You didn’t do anything wrong, but rather you hit a milestone. Once you achieve your small goals, the journey is just beginning!
The plateau is your body’s way of telling you that you may need to switch up your fitness or eating regime to keep your body stimulated and get the most benefits from your efforts! Remember that health does not have an endpoint, it is a journey with a myriad of challenges and achievements that help sustain healthy behaviors.
2. Having grit: make a plan and stick to it!
To overcome the plateau, it’s important to analyze your goals. But first, what are they? Why do you want to achieve these goals? What steps can you take right now to achieve your goals? Having grit shows that you are resilient, able to persevere through tough situations, and keep your eye on the prize.
Remember that your journey towards better health may be nonlinear and may come with obstacles. But it’s important to create a system that works for you and make your goals attainable. According to Plunkett of the Washington Post, “the main difference between an average adult and a high-level athlete isn’t a lack of talent or willpower but rather a lack of a system.” At Achievement, we’re here to help you reach your goals no matter how big or small. Whether it is walking 5,000 steps or 25,000 steps per day, you will be rewarded for your healthy actions!
3. Have someone nudge you — accountability and buddy system
A few health experts like Dr. Arefa Cassoobhoy found that she does better when she shares her health goals with someone else. It’s important to have someone support you and be able to share wins and losses during your health journey. Having someone join you will also hold you accountable to reach your goals, and you may be helping someone else reach theirs! Win-win!
Additionally, digital health trackers are a great way to help hold you accountable to health goals and track your journey. Our in-house research team looked at thousands of individuals using digital health trackers and found a positive association between activity tracking frequency and weight loss. Just one more reason to try out a new health and wellness app for some extra accountability.
4. Rethink, don’t sink.
Perspective is key — making healthy choices shouldn’t be seen as a chore, but more of making everyday incremental investments to be a better version of yourself. Instead of having the same routine for months straight, mix it up. Try a new exercise, mix up your sleep routine, or try adding daily meditation to your day to see what works for you. This will stimulate more progression and get you out of the plateau sooner.
If you dislike running, try substituting running for something that still keeps your heart going like swimming. If you dislike eating certain foods, try substituting those foods with other ones you like that offer the same nutrition. Your health journey is not a race to the finish line — remember that this journey is about learning and creating the best version of yourself.
Cultivating confidence and finding the reasons behind your goals will help motivate you through the journey. PennState Extension Educator Lynn James stated building confidence, praise, and support are key factors in motivating you to reach your health goals. Furthermore, take time to thank your body. Akin to health expert Samantha Heller, a registered dietitian and exercise physiologist, shares that your body is working 24/7 to keep you alive; therefore, we should appreciate our body and hone in on practicing positive body image.
5. Pat yourself on the back: reward yourself.
Lastly, recognize that you are making strides and meeting milestones in your journey. For all the hard work you put in, you deserve to treat yourself! Through the Achievement app, you can connect and earn points for cash for your hard work! Woo-hoo! Our research team notes how incentives can help form habits. In this case, we want to reward you for the healthy actions you take to form healthy habits.
You can make a reward system that best suits your lifestyle, such as going to the movies or going out with your loved ones after completing your week’s workout. If you have been diligent in preparing your meals and enjoy making your own meals and drinks, use your Achievement reward to treat yourself to buying the nice blender that you wanted for your smoothies or slow cooker for your weekly meals. If you have been sticking to your exercise routine, use your rest day to spend some time hanging out with your family or friends and share your journey with them.
At Achievement, we strive to support you along your health journey and make it enjoyable. We hope that these key points and tips will give you the boost you needed to carry on and continue to progress. Was there something that we missed that made it on your motivator list? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
Meet Our Community of Evidation Members
We recently shared a survey out to our community. The feedback and responses we’ve been receiving from our work and research brings us comfort and assurance knowing that the Evidation app has made a positive impact on your lives.
At Evidation, we're committed to putting our community first and to helping you reach your health goals no matter how big or small. We recently shared a survey out to our community. The feedback and responses we’ve been receiving from our work and research brings us comfort and assurance knowing that the Evidation app has made a positive impact on your lives. Our community of members is our driving force to create and learn new things that help you reach your health goals. Your stories have truly hit it home for us, and we love reading them.
We’re excited to continue to be part of your health journey and guide you in any step you need to keep achieving. Want to hear more about what our community of members feel? Meet the community and read their responses:
“I’ve been using Evidation for about 2 months now. I need to get back into exercising to earn more points. I like that it offers interesting articles to read and surveys. I enjoy Evidation because it will help me to reach my goals!” — (Emily D., Michigan)
“I have been using Evidation for a few years now. I participated in the 1yr Cognitive Health Study that really helped me to know how to improve my cognitive health and protect my brain from damage due to diet and environment. It motivated me to start an exercise class for seniors. This photo was last week. As of today we have 11 in the class. I am blessed!” — (Janet A., California)
“I have been using Evidation for probably close to 2 years now. I am hoping more people continue to use this so that data can be collected on activity, diet, weight, and sleep patterns and be studied to see the effects on health. This app has definitely made me track my weight closer and log my food more as well. I think this is a great app that may motivate people to make changes for a healthier lifestyle and better quality of life.” — (Ryan A., Florida)
“I was lucky enough to be chosen as one of the participants in the [cognitive health] study. It was a great experience and has made me more aware of what I need to do to keep my memory healthy. It has taught me which foods are essential for mental health and the need for exercise.” — (Carol C., PA)
“I have been using Evidation since the beginning of the year and it has been an awesome tool to quantifying my activities each day. I am a marathon runner but Evidation has been awesome for seeing all of the activities aside from running. It also just runs in the background of my daily life and will eventually earn me some money. I have been managing my own blog for my running for the past year and Evidation is changing the game for me.” — (Amanda R., South Carolina)
“I’ve been using Evidation now for about a month and a half and it’s amazing that I can earn money for being active! I challenge myself everyday to walk more and more to earn even more points then I did the day before. Cheers to being healthy! :)” — (Madison S., Indiana)
“It has been difficult to find a health routine to fit my third shift schedule. Working from midnight to 8 am sometimes forces you to eat bad food to stay awake! Fitbit and Evidation keep me accountable. I am now on a workout routine that gives me energy to put my all into work and my relationships outside of work.” — (Lauren B., Ohio)
“Evidation has been great in motivating me to get to a better place. Seeing the points I accumulate only makes me want to do more! I signed up as a means to better my health due to having high blood pressure since the age of 3. About two years ago, I decided to take up running to help do my part. Since then I have been getting faster, going farther, and feeling better than I ever have!” — (Eddy R., Pennsylvania)
“Having an app pay me to work out definitely has given me the motivation to join a gym and become a healthier happier person. I was also part of a migraine study which I hope my data is used to help someway in the future.” — (Katie N., MA)
Thanks again to all of our Evidation Members who have already shared their amazing stories. We’d love to hear from more of you! What does Evidation mean to you? What do you want to achieve? How can we help get you there? And let’s not forget, you can be a part of our Evidation community! Check out some of their awesome smiles below.
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Can sleep patterns tell us the severity of our anxiety or depression?
Depression and anxiety can have a huge impact on our daily lives and overall health. It can affect our mood, social interactions, sleep and more, but can our daily behaviors predict the severity of our anxiety and depression? Our research team sought to find out more.
We know that anxiety and depression affect many of you, with 7 out of 10 adults in the U.S. saying they experience stress or anxiety daily. Depression and anxiety can have a huge impact on our daily lives and overall health. It can affect our mood, social interactions, sleep and more, but can our daily behaviors predict the severity of our anxiety and depression? Our research team sought to find out more.
What we tested
We enrolled over 1,000 participants in a clinical study with self-reported anxiety and depression and assessed the participants’ mental health states by looking at the following for each individual:
- Anxiety and depression symptoms
- Number of hospitalizations and ER visits for anxiety/depression
- Use of anxiety and depression medications
We then looked at participants’ sleep metrics and patterns for the previous three months.
What we learned
Severe depression was significantly associated with inconsistent and disordered sleep patterns, such as spending a great amount of time in bed awake. Individuals taking medications for their anxiety and/or depression were likely to sleep more compared to those not receiving treatment, however, they also had inconsistent sleep patterns. Participants who had been previously hospitalized for anxiety and/or depression were more likely to have inconsistent sleep patterns as well.
What does this mean?
We all know that a lack of sleep can affect our daily lives, but it can also be associated with severe depression and anxiety. This means that certain sleep patterns might be able to predict the severity of an individual’s mental well-being in the future. With further research we’d like to understand if tracking sleep behavior could predict changes in the severity of an individual’s mental health condition.
Thanks to all of our members who participated in this research about how daily behaviors, like sleep, can tell help researchers to better understand anxiety and depression. If you’re interested in contributing to innovative research, we are regularly running new studies at Evidation.
3 Reasons Why Tracking Your Health Can Help You Participate in Better Health Outcomes
Here are the top three reasons why tracking your health with Evidation will help you be part of something just a little bit bigger than yourself this holiday season.
According to 2015 Pew Research, “one in three cell phone owners have used their phone to look for health information.” Four years ago, we started Evidation to help everyone understand their personal health, take control of their health journey, and help contribute to improving the health of everyone. Here are the top three reasons why tracking your health with Evidation will help you be part of something just a little bit bigger than yourself this holiday season.
1. Actively participate in your health
With the over 30+ apps that you can connect to Evidation, we’re able to look at patterns of activity levels and do a deep dive into tracking health and wellness. We’ve published research around how your social engagements can impact activity levels. Lastly, we’ve given our community a chance to learn from each other, asking communities of individuals what questions they have for one another and sharing back the results.
2. Learn about health and research through insights
With a community of over a million, we’re constantly looking for opportunities to highlight and share relevant research tailored to you. We’ve also done deep dives on seasonal trends over the last year, including a step analysis around the Pokemon Go phenomenon, the difference between men and women during Back to School, and a look across the United States at Halloween calorie count.
3. Participate in ground-breaking research to advance the health of everyone
We’re focused on building a product that makes your interactions with health unified. We believe that health is much more than a visit to the doctor. It’s a constant effort every day of how to track/monitor healthy activities — whether it be steps taken, heart rate monitored, sleep tracked, or even meditation sessions executed. Sign up for Evidation today and starting taking health-related actions, including contributing to cutting-edge clinical studies that are tailored to your specific health conditions.
Dads vs. Moms: How does the transition from summer to fall impact activity levels?
The change in seasons often brings with it a change in routine. We wanted to know how the transition from summer to fall affects our health and wellness, and we’re excited to share these insights from members.
The change in seasons often brings with it a change in routine. So we wanted to know how the transition from summer to fall affects our health and wellness, and we’re excited to share these insights from Evidation Members.
The transition to fall can be especially cumbersome for parents as they juggle back to school duties, but is one parent more impacted than the other by the changing season? We decided to take a closer look at how moms and dads health holds up during the seasonal transition. We were also curious to explore how sleep and steps between parents and non-parents compared.
Who is catching more zzzs?
We uncovered a statistically significant gender disparity between moms and dads. Moms sleep 5 minutes less in the summer than their non-mom counterparts. As the school year ramps up in late August and early September, the difference is significantly more pronounced on weekdays. Moms sleep 10 minutes less than their non-mom counterparts. Dads, on the other hand, show no consistent differences from their counterparts in summer or fall. If anything, they may sleep slightly more.
Moms are also taking a bigger hit in sleep interruption than Dads. Moms sleep 0.34% less than non-moms and 1.4% less than dads. Surprisingly though, non-dads have the most sleep interruptions, spending 8.3% of the night awake.
What time is everyone falling asleep?
Moms fall asleep 12 minutes earlier than non-moms, while dads fall asleep 24 minutes earlier than non-dads. So, while dads don’t seem to be sleeping any less if they are a parent, they appear to be shifting their sleep schedules more. Interestingly, all four groups shift their bedtimes earlier in fall, possibly due to earlier sunsets.
Who is taking more steps?
Moms take fewer steps than non-moms in general. During the summer, moms take 427 fewer steps/day on weekends and 243 fewer steps/day on weekdays. However, when the school year starts, their weekends show an even larger deficit, at 543 fewer steps/day vs non-moms. Their weekdays step counts improve markedly, though, at just 85 fewer steps/day than non-moms.
Dads show the opposite pattern. They actually take more steps than non-dads. In the summer, they have an average of 250 steps/day more than non-dads, while in the fall, they have an average of 348 steps/day more than non-dads.