Whether you’ve been reaping the health benefits of chlorella for years or have only recently discovered this nutrient-rich alga with “superfood status,” you may have wondered: what is the best time to take chlorella for the best results?

The good news is: chlorella isn’t rigid. These single-celled green algae can fit into any routine or schedule and deliver results — which include everything from supporting energy levels, digestion, and skin health, to promoting increased iron absorption, natural purification, and immunity.

The only catch? Consistency is key. Like most superfoods and leafy green vegetables, you’ll experience chlorella’s health benefits to the fullest when you take it regularly. This means there’s a bit of thought required on your end to determine how chlorella can fit most conveniently into your lifestyle.

To help you create a daily “chlorella routine,” read on to discover the general guidelines for taking chlorella, answers to commonly asked questions (such as: “Does chlorella make you sleepy?”), and other nutrition facts that can help you answer the question: “What is the best time to take chlorella?”

Tip #1: Chlorella may be easier for your body to digest and absorb when taken with meals  

One of the most common questions regarding the best time of day to take chlorella is if it needs to be taken with food. The answer is yes for some people and no for others. 

If chlorella is a new addition to your diet, it may cause initial gas, bloating, or digestive discomfort when taken on an empty stomach -- which certainly won't motivate you to continue taking it. If that's the case, the best time to take chlorella tablets is with breakfast, lunch, snacks, or dinner. However, you can take chlorella on an empty stomach if you can tolerate it.  

Also worth noting is that chlorella contains vitamin A (as beta-carotene) and vitamin D. Both of these vitamins are fat-soluble vitamins and optimally absorbed with meals.

Tip #2: You can take chlorella supplements all at once or in smaller amounts throughout the day

You may be taking chlorella in tablets or powder, or other forms. If you're taking Sun Chlorella 500 mg or 200 mg tablets, it helps to know that you can take the daily serving all at once or in smaller amounts at different times during the day. The best time to take chlorella tablets, and the ratio to take them in, depends on what's most convenient for you. 

For example, Sun Chlorella 200 mg tablets are quite small, so the suggested serving size is 15 tablets. Rather than taking them all at once, you may find it easier to spread them out and have a few at every snack and meal. 

For some people, taking chlorella in smaller amounts throughout the day may also be supportive for sustained energy levels -- and eliminate the need for mid-afternoon caffeine or a siesta. This is largely due to the active vitamin B12 that's found in chlorella, which naturally boosts energy. Active B12 is the form of vitamin B12 that's best absorbed and utilized by the body.  

Fun fact: Did you know that chlorella is the only known plant food to contain active B12? This is why chlorella is particularly beneficial if you follow a vegan diet and/or struggle with fatigue.  

Since chlorella is a natural energy source, the energy boost you will experience from chlorella is calm and subtle -- the same as you would experience from eating a bowl of kale or spinach. In other words, you won't experience an intense energy spike or crash that follows a first-thing-in-the-morning coffee. 

This also means if you decide to take chlorella all at once instead of in smaller amounts throughout the day, it's not necessary to keep taking it multiple times throughout the day to promote balanced energy levels. Splitting up the daily recommended serving primarily depends on what's most convenient for you and will help you take chlorella consistently.

Tip #3: Taking chlorella after a workout: yay or nay? 

If you're an active person, never underestimate the perks of keeping a stash of chlorella tablets or powder in your gym or yoga bag. Not only could this be a convenient time of day for you to take chlorella (since you're likely to reach for a snack or meal after exercising anyways) --  but having a post-work-out ritual of chlorella tablets or a  smoothie with chlorella is like a spa day for your insides.  

As an alkaline food, chlorella helps neutralize lactic acid build-up, which is the byproduct of muscle movement during exercise. Lactic acid build-up can contribute to joint pain, stiffness, and muscle aches. Chlorella can also help replenish the vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes needed for muscle recovery and hydration. 

Question 1. How long does it take to see results from chlorella?

If you're wondering when you'll experience chlorella before and after "glow-up," like any other superfood or leafy green vegetable: the longer you incorporate it into your routine, the greater the results you will experience.  

You now know that chlorella provides several nutrients that can offer noticeable benefits over time, including enhanced energy, aiding the body in post-workout recovery, and supporting skin, digestive, bone, and overall health.  

In addition to the above, chlorella is rich in an antioxidant called chlorophyll. This is the pigment that gives chlorella its visually appealing, bright green complexion. Chlorophyll helps support liver function, the body's natural purification processes, and digestive function and may even help freshen your breath from the inside out. 

With these benefits, you may not have to wait long until you feel a positive difference from taking chlorella. It's just staying consistent that matters most.

Question 2. What can you not take with chlorella? 

Since chlorella is comparable to kale, spinach, or any other leafy green or sea vegetable, it's generally safe to take if you can safely eat these foods. However, it's always best to check with your licensed healthcare practitioner before adding a new superfood to your routine.

Question 3. Does chlorella make you sleepy?

Chlorella will not make you sleepy, but get this: it may actually improve the quality of your sleep.  

Research suggests vitamin B12 supports the production of neurotransmitters involved in brain function and sleep. (1) Another study suggests B12 also helped improve sleep quality, concentration, and "feeling refreshed" in healthy subjects. The study concluded that B12 has a direct influence on melatonin production and the body's sleep-and-wake cycle. (2)

Question 4. When should I take chlorella: morning or night?

You get to choose: whichever time is most convenient for you.  

Although chlorella contains nutrients to support energy production, as a natural food source comparable to leafy greens, it won’t give you a massive jolt of energy if taken at night. This means you can take it at dinnertime and not have to worry about your sleep being interrupted. As mentioned above, chlorella may also improve your sleep quality over time.

Question 5. How long can you take chlorella?

You can take chlorella every day for as long as you'd like.

Chlorella is a rich source of essential nutrients with no known negative side effects, which means you can take it for as long as you experience the positive benefits. As explained above, the longer you take chlorella consistently, the more benefits you will notice (and once you do, you probably won't want to stop taking it!) 

In the case of chlorella, there's no such thing as "too much of a good thing" (as long as you stick to the daily recommended serving). 

Tips For Remembering to Take Your Chlorella Consistently

• Store chlorella where you will see it (rather than stashed away in the back of a drawer or cupboard)

• Make it part of your morning self-care routine (either with breakfast or alongside/blended in with a smoothie)

• Set a reminder on your phone.

• Keep a packet of tablets or powder in your gym bag for your post-workout ritual.

• Track your progress! It can be motivating to keep a "chlorella journal" in your phone's notepad to track the subtle differences you experience in your health. Sleep deeper and wake up feeling more refreshed one night? Write it down. Experiencing less bloating after meals on the days you take chlorella? What about when you forget to take it? Write down anything you notice. Not only will this activity let you know if chlorella is the right supplement for you -- but it can motivate you to continue to take it consistently when you look back on your results.

The Takeaway

If you're asking yourself, "What is the best time to take chlorella?" remember that consistency is the key to experiencing chlorella's endless health benefits. The best time of day for you to take chlorella tablets is when you will remember. Luckily, chlorella does not have to be taken at a specific time for the best results. Nor does it have to be taken at the exact same time each day. 

Chlorella can be taken all at once or in small amounts throughout the day, with or without food, and in the morning, afternoon, or evening (without interrupting sleep patterns).  

And hey, even if you miss a day or two of taking chlorella, as the nutrient-dense superfood it is, some chlorella is always better than no chlorella.