What Is Chlorophyll Water?

I’m far from a paragon of good health, but I do make sure to drink plenty of water every day, usually with a little squirt of lemon juice. It’s refreshing and I can really feel the difference on days when I don’t drink enough. But it seems that, for some people, good, old-fashioned water, the thing we all need to survive, just doesn’t cut the mustard anymore. Enter: chlorophyll water. Now with 100% more plant stuff! What is chlorophyll water? Read on to find out. 

What is chlorophyll water?

Most people who at least got a C in middle school science class are familiar with chlorophyll. For those of us who didn’t or who have replaced that information in their brains with TikTok memes, chlorophyll helps plants with photosynthesis, converting sunlight into food. 

The idea of using chlorophyll as a nutritional supplement has been around since the 1960s, and today lives in the same realm as wheatgrass and adaptogens—new-agey trends that appeal to the hyper-healthy and super-wealthy. At a glance, the liquid is quite striking and, to be honest, healthy-looking. It’s a bright green color that is somewhere in between green juice and Hi-C Ecto Cooler. 

How is chlorophyll water made? 

Food scientists aren’t just sticking a needle into a leaf, extracting the chlorophyll, and injecting it into a water bottle. The form of chlorophyll that appears in most health products is called chlorophyllin, a semi-synthetic derivative of chlorophyll. 

To get chlorophyllin, a process known as saponification has to occur. This removes some waxes and pigments from chlorophyll so that it can become water-soluble and be used in drinks and other foods. There is a second process called coppering, which replaces a magnesium ion in chlorophyll with a copper one. If you look at a bottle of chlorophyll water from the brand Chlorophyll Water, the ingredient list says chlorophyll (as copper chlorophyllin). 

Why coppering? So that the liquid looks more green and, subconsciously, healthier.

How does chlorophyll water taste?

No two tongues are the same. I used to work at a food kitchen that got all sorts of donations from restaurants, groceries, and individual donors. One day, we got a case of Chlorophyll Water which, of course, my coworkers and I had to taste test, because it looks freakin’ cuckoo crazy. 

To me, it was pretty much water with a slight plant-like tinge to it. But one of my coworkers was disgusted, saying it tastes like mown grass. They were, apparently, far more sensitive to that plant taste than I was. So, results may vary.

What are the benefits of chlorophyll water?

I am suspicious of anything that purports to have health benefits that doesn’t have the time-tasted proof of something like spinach, oranges, or, ironically, plain ol’ water. I am especially suspicious of beverages that position themselves as a “healthy” alternative to their competitors. Fool me once, Vitamin Water, and never again.

The same goes for chlorophyll water. The alleged benefits of this new magic drink range from clearing up acne and boosting weight loss to eliminating toxins and preventing cancer. The bottom line is there is no definitive, peer-reviewed research to fully back up these claims. You could make your own chlorophyll water at home by blending a handful of parsley without the hassle of “saponification” and “coppering.” So, if you’re really curious, maybe just try that first.