Boy did I learn something new and extremely interesting when reading a recent issue of Bon Apetit Magazine. The article was about the latest healthy food trends for 2016 and it said “It’s not enough to eat your greens: You want to boost their impact by going straight for the chlorophyll. In extract form, this deep-green pigment is a chef’s healthy magic trick—it’s like an energy shot but one that science researchers say helps break down fats.”

Back to the leafy greens theme for a minute: One of the key reasons they’re such great foods is because of their deep, rich color tones. This is mostly owed to the chlorophyll they contain. Chlorophyll is a green pigment that’s instrumental in photosynthesis. Research is consistently showing chlorophyll is a super food at promoting good health. For instance, look at these 10 benefits chlorophyll provides that demonstrates its amazing versatility and power:

1. Helps Control Hunger and Cravings. Chlorophyll can not only do this, but does so while keeping blood sugar levels stable. It’s an effective way to manage hunger and promote weight loss.

2. Controls Body Odor. Chlorophyll is good for your body from the inside out, literally. This includes body and fecal odors. And an added bonus: In addition to odor reduction, it also alleviated constipation and gas.

3. Encourages Healing. Interestingly enough the use of chlorophyll to promote the healing process was first reported nearly 100 years ago. Besides promoting healing, it improves healing times. And when used as a spray, chlorophyll significantly helps wound therapy. 

4. Promotes Cleansing. Environmental pollutants are insidious health destroyers. Chlorophyll handles those, too. It binds with toxic metals in the blood and tissues to hamper pollutant absorption, and research has shown it even does the same with some carcinogens.

5. Protects DNA Against Fried Foods. Fried foods aren’t just bad for your waistline, they also contain chemicals known to damage colon tissue and the DNA of colon cells. Research shows there is much less DNA damage of colon cells after ingesting fried foods. (Don’t take that as just cause to go crazy with the fried foods; the best idea is to avoid them altogether.)

6. Super Potent Antioxidant Action. Chlorophyll’s status as a superfood is due to its nutritional and potent antioxidant properties. It protects cells from oxidative damage by eliminating free radicals while reducing cell damage. 

7. Promising Potential for Cancer Therapy. Although the research doesn’t currently show that chlorophyll is an all out cancer cure, researchers are excited about its potential as a therapy. Studies are showing it is especially effective at stimulating liver detoxifying enzymes and protects against other carcinogens. 

8. Effective Against Candida Albicans. Candida infection leads to fatigue, depression, and digestive problems; just to name a few. Research shows chlorophyll stops Candida albicans growth. 

9. Relieves Systemic Redness and Swelling. Traditional medicine has long used green leaves for infections. Because modern medicines have limited effectiveness and a long list of side effects, natural remedies are getting another well-deserved look.

10. Promotes Healthy Iron Levels. Chlorophyll is also effective for anemia. It provides a bioavailable form of iron the body can digest and use.

This is all such great news. While the pharmaceutical researchers look for ways to develop patent-able medicines and play the waiting game for FDA acceptance, no one needs to wait to take chlorophyll to gain its benefits.

Chlorophyll is also easy to get. You can find it in tablet, powder, liquid, or spray at whole- and health-food stores. I blend a tablespoon of powder, or 10 tablets in my smoothies each day. It does taste a little grassy, so you’ll want to be sure you have plenty of fruit in your smoothie.

And on the restaurant side, chefs are swirling it into yogurt for a grassy antioxidant boost (and groovy spin-art effect). There’s also lots of experimenting with mixing it into soups and stews just before serving. This is one super health food that’s here to stay, so we can also expect to see it showing up in commercial foods shortly.

In the meantime, however, why not get yourself some and start including it in your smoothies and soups and stews. A very little goes a long way, so even just a teaspoon a day will work wonders. Its benefits are truly amazing!