Heal From Within: Chlorophyll
All of our lives we’ve been told. “EAT YOUR GREENS!”. Particularly, broccoli, spinach, collards, and the others. Our loving mothers spared no moment at the dinner table to hound us, over and over again. Did we listen? Sometimes not. Perhaps, it didn’t quite register because we weren't aware of the power greens actually possessed - health. But with knowledge, comes a greater level of understanding.
Let’s start unpacking why the heck our mothers pushed greens in the first place.
What is Chlorophyll?
It’s a green pigment found in green plants - deep. Used in photosynthesis - the conversion of energy from sunlight into sugars so the plant can use for food. Simply put, no chlorophyll, no plants. Chlorophyll is equally important to the sustenance of human life. Bringing in a bit of genetics, chlorophyll, and hemoglobin (a molecule that carries oxygen in our blood) contain nearly identical genetic structures. I think that uncovered mystery holds a lot of significance.
Plant life and human life have parallels - chlorophyll and hemoglobin are two substances that are closely associated with life processes.
Let’s check out a few:
Chlorophyll and blood share similar genetic structures.
Both play a major role in handling oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Primarily animals consume oxygen and release carbon dioxide, whereas primarily plants consume carbon dioxide and release.
Both essential to life processes.
Chlorophyll produces the food plants need for survival. Hemoglobin carries nutrients and oxygen essential to animal life.
Using Chlorophyll to Heal From Within
Green vegetables are rated one of the healthiest foods to eat. Their nutritional content alone knights them as a superfood. Containing an array of antioxidants, minerals, fiber, micronutrients, and other therapeutic properties. Chlorophyll has shown to be a formidable opponent to sickness and disease. Scientist have shown that it can kill bacteria, strep and staph, and harmful bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. Eating a diet rich in chlorophyll has also proven to increase red blood cells, which increase iron levels. Chlorophyll also reduces free radical damage, which protects the DNA (and cancer from forming), slows down the aging process by supporting and nourishing cells by reducing oxidative stress, stimulating the immune system, eliminating toxins, helping rid the body of bad odors, and so much more!
Chlorophyll is the jam. Just trust the process and eat up!
Your Best Options
While all green plants contain chlorophyll, some plants contain particularly higher concentrations than others. And those are the ones we want. So next time you’re at your local grocers, be sure to pick up some of these options from below:
Sea vegetables: Nori, Kelp.
Make Your Own!
One cup of raw spinach contains about 24 milligrams of chlorophyll. Parsley has about 19 milligrams per cup. You can blend parsley with water to create a homemade chlorophyll drink. Other greens will average 4 to 15 milligrams per cup. Your best source of chlorophyll will come from veggies and herbs that are green, inside and out. My favorite chlorophyll concoction consists of a handful of cilantro (also a metal detox), a handful of kale and some good old H20.
You Can Do It!
Take some time to invest in your health by stocking up on this beautiful green substance called chlorophyll. Appreciate how the beautiful chemistry of plant life and human life interrelate. And remember that God is mad intentional with His design. He provides us with simple yet rich foods that can help restore our health and wellness. Thank Him and your mom. She was really looking out.
Stay Healthy, Stay Curious, Stay Green
DISCLAIMER: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. There are no financial ties to any supplement companies, pharmaceutical companies, or to any of the products mentioned in this post. This post is not meant to treat, cure, prevent, or diagnose conditions or diseases and is meant for educational purposes. As always, please consult your doctor before trying any new treatments or supplements.