Keep green in your leaves!

Chlorophyll is the substance that makes plants green. You probably remember learning this back in elementary school, but what else is this substance all about and most of all, why is it good for humans?

Let’s get geeky for a moment. Also defined as “leaf green”, chlorophyll is the green granular matter formed in the cells of leaves that is responsible for photosynthesis. This is how plants use sunlight energy and then convert it into nutrition (glucose aka plant food) from carbon dioxide and water. Photosynthesis also results in oxygen being formed – which we humans need and are very grateful for, of course.

Humans cannot (yet) photosynthesize like plants do, but what we can do is better our body chemistry and our health by increasing our chlorophyll intake. What makes this green stuff pretty powerful is its ability to regenerate our bodies. Chlorophyll helps increase red blood cells and therefore increases oxygen utilization in the body. It also assists in boosting metabolism, immunity, respiration and detoxification. It is most famous for its ability to help cleanse & refresh the body, as well as heal wounds fast. Much like turmeric, it has anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties.

So where do you source this stuff?

Chlorophyll can be found in foods varying from deep, rich colour tones to lighter greens such as:

-dark, leafy greens (spinach, kale & collards)

-fresh herbs like parsley and cilantro

-green veggies and fruit like peas, artichokes, asparagus, broccoli, green apples and grapes

-blue-green algae and seaweed

-matcha whole leaf green tea

You will find the most chlorophyll in raw or lightly cooked foods. A good rule of thumb is the more you are able retain the green colour in the food, the more you will retain the chlorophyll.

As a supplement, you can find chlorophyll in tablet or liquid form. Personally, I prefer liquid form and add it to my water or sneak it into my salad dressings or smoothies.

The fall and winter is a good time to boost your chlorophyll intake. This will help you keep the green in YOUR leaves… all year long.

All science aside, they say green is the colour that symbolizes peace and is associated to the heart chakra. Perhaps chlorophyll does assist in human photosynthesis, transforming sunlight energy into the most powerful human food we have: love.

So what are you waiting for? Give chlorophyll the green light!