Do you know what chlorophyll is? If you do, then you must have known about its amazing benefits for the health. Well, as a matter of fact, there are a lot of health benefits of chlorophyll. These include the better functioning of the blood-producing organs, the abundance of oxygen in the body, as well as the prevention of anemia. Furthermore, since it is rich in so many antioxidant properties, it is capable of exerting beneficial effects on some medical conditions like kidney stones, pancreatitis, sinusitis, dental conditions, insomnia, as well as cancer. Not just that, it is also beneficial in the normal blood clotting, wound healing, and many others. There is more to chlorophyll than meets the eye! If you want to learn more about it, and its effect on human health, feel free to give this article a read.
Chlorophyll: What is this?
Chlorophyll is actually a green pigment that is present in plants that help in facilitating the sunlight absorption. This has the capacity to convert the sunlight energy to a usable form that is used in various processes, just like photosynthesis. By virtue, we know that the photosynthesis is the process wherein the green plants prepare their own food. The cells of the plant store the sunshine energy and make it available for the consumption. As a matter of fact, this is the reason behind the plants’ pigmentation and color. Furthermore, there are various forms of chlorophyll, which naturally occur, including the chlorophyll a and b. out of these two, the most significant and the widely used one is the chlorophyll a.
Moreover, the chlorophyllin is a derivative of the chlorophyll. This is a mixture of copper salts and sodium that comes from the chlorophyll. Though the chlorophyll is fat-soluble, the chlorophyllin is water-soluble and is used as a substitute medicine.
One interesting fact about this chlorophyll is that it has a molecular structure, which is the same as the hemoglobin. This is an important part of human blood. The lone exception is their own central atom, which is magnesium for the chlorophyll and iron for the hemoglobin. Because of this distinct quality, the liquid chlorophyll performs the similar function in the body as the hemoglobin. Even though the nutrition world has not yet given admiration to chlorophyll, it still keeps on being one of the most important elements for plants.
Nutritional Facts of Chlorophyll
The chlorophyll is actually a good source of vitamins. In fact, it possesses vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin A. Furthermore, it also contains beta-carotene. It is rich in antioxidants as well. Not just that, it also has important minerals in it, just like calcium, potassium, iron, and magnesium. And of course, it also has important fatty acids, which are essential for optimum health.
Health Benefits of Chlorophyll
Here are some of the most surprising health benefits of chlorophyll:
- Helps in improving oral The chlorophyll is essential in treating various dental problems, like the pyorrhea. Furthermore, it is also used in treating the symptoms of oral infections, as well as calm the bleeding gums and inflamed gums.
- Helps in treating pancreatitis. The chlorophyll is essential in treating chronic pancreatitis. Research actually shows that it is beneficial in relieving fever and ease abdominal discomfort and pain due to pancreatitis.
- Helps in balancing the hormones. The chlorophyll is beneficial in maintaining the hormonal balance in both male and female. The vitamin E in the chlorophyll is essential in stimulating the testosterone production in males and estrogen in females.
- Helps in preventing kidney stones. Chlorophyll is beneficial in the prevention of the formation of kidney stones. The vitamin K in the chlorophyll is beneficial in the reduction of the growth of calcium oxalate crystals.
- Helps in making the bones stronger. The chlorophyll is essential in the formation and maintenance of the strong bones. The magnesium in the chlorophyll is vital in bone health, together with some other important nutrients, like vitamin D and calcium.
- Helps in preventing cancer. This is one of the most essential health benefits of chlorophyll. Studies actually show that the chlorophyll is effective in fighting against colon cancer and stimulate the apoptosis induction.
- Helps in increasing the red blood cells. The chlorophyll is essential in replenishing and restoring the red blood cells. It also works at the cellular and molecular levels and has the capacity to regenerate the body.
Sources of Chlorophyll
It is not that hard to include the chlorophyll in the daily diet. This is for the reason that almost all of the green plants contain it. Furthermore, a lot of vegetables may also be a part of the food, which contains chlorophyll a and b.
You can also opt for the following as a source of chlorophyll:
- Spinach
- Swiss chards
- Garden cress
- Kale
- Parsley
- Green beans
- Leeks
- Wheatgrass
- Arugula
- Sprouts
- Spirulina
- Chlorella
Remember, however, that overcooking the foods that contain chlorophyll may not be a good thing. This is mainly because the chlorophyll in them may get destroyed if you overcook them.
