What is Chlorophyll?
Chlorophyll is a green pigment found in plants and algae that is responsible for the absorption of light energy during photosynthesis. It plays a vital role in converting sunlight into chemical energy, enabling plants to produce carbohydrates and releasing oxygen into the atmosphere. While chlorophyll is important to sustain life on Earth, it doesn't actively expire like food or other perishable items. However, it may undergo certain changes and degradation over time, affecting its stability, effectiveness and overall quality.
Does Chlorophyll Expire?
To understand the potential changes that may occur in chlorophyll, it is important to consider its chemical structure. Chlorophyll is a complex molecule consisting of a porphyrin ring structure and a central magnesium atom. This structure is very prone to degradation, especially when exposed to light, heat, oxygen or acidic conditions. These factors lead to the breakdown of chlorophyll molecules and the subsequent formation of pheophytin products, which are responsible for the darker brown color in aged plant material.
- One of the key factors affecting the stability of chlorophyll is light. Sunlight, especially ultraviolet (UV) radiation, causes chlorophyll to undergo a process of photodegradation. During this process, the energy of the ultraviolet rays can excite electrons in the chlorophyll molecules to form reactive oxygen species (ROS). These reactive oxygen species cause damage to the structure of chlorophyll, causing chlorophyll to degrade and reduce its effectiveness.
- Heat is another factor that affects the stability of chlorophyll. High temperatures will cause protein denaturation and will destroy the overall structure of chlorophyll molecules. This can lead to a loss of functional activity and a reduction in the ability of the pigment to absorb light energy.
Additionally, heat can speed up chemical reactions and increase the rate of chlorophyll degradation. Oxygen is also an important factor in the degradation of chlorophyll. When exposed to oxygen, chlorophyll undergoes oxidation, forming pheophytin. This process can be accelerated in the presence of light and heat. Likewise, chlorophyll is affected by acidic conditions, as acid-catalyzed reactions cause the molecules to break down and degrade.
It is worth mentioning that the degradation and changes of chlorophyll mainly occur in plant or algae material, not in isolated chlorophyll extracts or supplements. These extracts are often processed and purified to enhance stability and extend their shelf life. However, even under ideal conditions, chlorophyll-containing products still undergo some degree of degradation over time. In order to maintain the stability of chlorophyll-containing products, it is recommended to store them in cool, dark and dry conditions. This helps to minimize exposure to light, heat, oxygen and moisture - all factors that accelerate the degradation of chlorophyll. Additionally, packaging materials should be chosen carefully, as opaque and airtight containers provide protection from light and oxygen.
In summary, while chlorophyll does not have an expiration date in the traditional sense, it degrades and changes over time. Exposure to light, heat, oxygen, and acidic conditions all lead to the breakdown and degradation of chlorophyll molecules, resulting in changes in color, stability, and availability. Proper storage and handling can help slow down the degradation process and maintain the quality of chlorophyll-containing products.
What does chlorophyll do?
Chlorophyll is vital to plant life, and therefore life on earth. But we can't help but wonder what extra health benefits it can offer us.
Here, we look at ten science-backed benefits of chlorophyll for human health.
7 benefits of chlorophyll
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Chlorophyll for weight loss
According to a study, consuming 5g of green plant membrane supplementation over 90 days caused weight loss.
The benefits of weight loss observed in the study may partially be explained by the fact that taking the green plant supplement decreased the subjects' desire for sweets and chocolate.
Another discovery was that taking a supplement containing chlorophyll boosted feelings of satiety and fullness by causing the release of a hormone from the gut that alerts the brain when it has had enough.
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It supports processes involved in healing wounds
Chlorophyllin (a semi-synthetic chlorophyll derivative that includes copper – commonly used in chlorophyll supplements) can promote and accelerate wound healing. This has been proven in several studies.
It's thought this is due to its ability to stimulate cell production, which is essential to heal skin following damage. Another mechanism thought to support wound healing is by limiting harmful bacterial growth which can slow the speed at which a wound heals.
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antibacterial action
The growth of many different kinds of bacteria that could be hazardous to human health can be slowed down or even stopped by chlorophyll.
In the 1950s, research on other bacterial strains verified its antibacterial effect.
Recent investigations have also shown that different germs are resistant to chlorophyll's antimicrobial effects.
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supporting red blood cells, creating energy
The molecular structure of hemoglobin, the component of red blood cells that transports oxygen throughout the body, and chlorophyll are chemically related.
According to a theory, chlorophyll can resemble hemoglobin in our bodies, aiding in the renewal of red blood cells and enhancing their capacity to transport more oxygen throughout the body. This benefits us by increasing our energy levels.
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Chlorophyll for Skincare
Perhaps the most well-known potential benefit of chlorophyll is a cleaner complexion, but can you use chlorophyll to get glowing skin?
When used topically, chlorophyll's antibacterial qualities can aid in the battle against pimples and other bacterial skin issues.
Additionally, chlorophyll has calming effects. Anything with calming effects is fantastic news for your skin because sensitive skin is a major contributor to premature skin aging.
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It acts as an antioxidant
Antioxidant is a buzzword in health and wellness, and anything with proven antioxidant properties is worth our attention.
Antioxidants work by scavenging oxidants, also known as free radicals. These are cell-damaging molecules that lead to disease and premature aging.
In studies, chlorophyll has been shown to be an effective antioxidant, able to neutralize several harmful oxidants.
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promoting good gut health
The colony of bacteria that lives in each of our guts, known as the intestinal microbiome, may be regulated in part by chlorophyll.
We depend on a healthy population of gut bacteria for everything from proper digestion to a stable mood, so this is fantastic news for our general health.
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