Does chlorophyll reduce bad breath or body odor?

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    Last Updated: May 16, 2025

    There is no convincing evidence that supplemental chlorophyll effectively reduces bad breath or body odor because historical claims were based on low-quality studies. A randomized controlled trial showed that chlorophyll was no more effective than placebo for reducing fecal odor, and although it reduced urinary levels of trimethylamine in people with trimethylaminuria, changes in body odor were not evaluated.

    There is currently no convincing evidence that chlorophyll supplementation reduces bad breath or body odor.

    Historically, chlorophyll was thought to have a deodorizing effect on urine, feces, wounds, breath, and general body odor; however, these claims were based primarily on case reports and on uncontrolled trials that had low-quality methodology and used outdated measurement tools.[1][2] One randomized controlled trial in people with a colostomy found that chlorophyll was no more effective than placebo in reducing fecal odor.[3] Most recently, a study published in 2004 found that in patients with trimethylaminuria — a genetic disorder that results in the build-up of trimethylamine (TMA) in the body, leading to a fishy body odor — chlorophyll (as SCC) reduced urinary levels of TMA, although changes in body odor were not assessed.[4]

    Does chlorophyll reduce bad breath or body odor? - Examine