Dietary chlorophyll supplementation extended lifespan and improved stress resistance in fruit flies, according to a study published in the journal Nutrients.
The research, conducted on Drosophila melanogaster, found that an optimal dose of chlorophyll significantly increased lifespan by about 7.66% to 13.94% . Treated flies also showed improved motor activity and greater tolerance to environmental stressors.
The study reported that chlorophyll enhanced resilience to conditions including starvation, temperature extremes and oxidative stress, indicating a broader improvement in physiological robustness.
Researchers said the effects were not driven by reduced food intake, changes in reproduction or alterations in circadian rhythms. Instead, chlorophyll appeared to act through cellular defense mechanisms.
Specifically, supplementation increased activity of antioxidant systems and reduced markers of cellular damage, while also influencing genes involved in detoxification processes, the study found.
The authors said these findings suggest chlorophyll may help boost resistance to age-related decline, though the results are limited to laboratory models and have not been demonstrated in humans.
Independent research has shown that while chlorophyll has antioxidant properties, evidence for broad health benefits in humans remains limited and requires further study