In this article, we shall discuss the aloe Vera juice benefits. Aloe Vera plant has been used as a herbal medicine for thousands of years due to its healing, rejuvenating, and soothing properties. The plant is native of the Caribbean, South Africa, and Latin America
The aloe leaves contain a clear gel that is mostly used in lotions, creams, shampoos, and ointments.
The skin of the leaves contains a bitter liquid known as aloe latex which is used in juice drinks, tablets, capsules, and dental care items like mouth wash and toothpaste.
What is aloe Vera juice?
Aloe vera juice is extract from the green outer leaf of the aloe vera plant. To make aloe Vera juice, crush the leaves of the plant and filter out the liquid. This juice tastes bitter and is slightly thicker than plain water.
Aloe Vera juice should not be confused with aloe vera gel, which is found by breaking open the leaf and has been used topically for centuries to treat burns, abrasions and other skin complications.
What are the nutrients present in aloe juice?
Aloe Vera juice contains a variety of potentially active constituents among these are; vitamins(C, E, A) enzymes, minerals, sugars, lignin, amino acids, salicylic acid, folic acid, and chlorine
Aloe Vera juice benefits are; aid weight loss, help digestion, boost immunity, good detox, provide nutrients, nourish skin and hair, control blood sugar, and keeps you hydrated.
Before we continue with the aloe Vera juice benefits, I think you need to know this.
Over the years, Aloe Vera has been the center of focus in the manufacture of a variety of over-the-counter laxatives until 2002 when the FDA put a ban on them and removed them from drug stores due to lack of sufficient information as far as their safety is concerned.
Safety concerns about using aloe Vera juice began to arise after a two-year study by the National Toxicology Program that found that when the extract of the aloe Vera leaves (aloe Vera juice) was given to rats; they exhibited carcinogenesis (formation of cancer)
It should be noted that the study was done in rats, and therefore the results in humans are not known if a similar study is to be carried out.
Also, the type of aloe Vera juice used by humans is decolorized or treated with activated charcoal used to remove anthraquinone (Aloin) in the latex which is believed to have caused cancer in rats.
What are the aloe Vera juice benefits?
Let us look at the aloe Vera juice benefits in detail below.
1. Aids weight loss
Aloe Vera boosts the body’s metabolism which enables the body to burn fat. This is due to the presence of Vitamin B which converts the fat stores in the body into energy thereby aiding weight loss. It also supports good bowel movements and this keeps the waste and toxins moving out of your system which is key to weight loss.
2. Good for digestion
One of the reasons why you should include aloe Vera juice into your diet is that; Aloe Vera juice maintains the good bacteria in your gut to keep your gut balanced. Having balanced gut bacteria helps relieve kinds of indigestion such as the bloated and gassy stomach.
Aloe Vera is high in fiber and also boosts water content in the intestines. All these help constipation hence promoting a smooth digestive system.
3. Good for gum health
Drinking aloe Vera juice is good for your body good even before you swallow it. Studies have shown that it is good for the gum because of the anti-microbial properties of aloe Vera.
4. Boosts immunity
According to a study, published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, a type of carbohydrate (aloeride) found in aloe juice increases the activity of (NF-kB), a protein complex central to the immune response. But the research does not give a limitation on ingredient aloeride.
5. Aloe Vera is nutrient-dense
The juice comes with a variety of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants which are very important for the body. The only vitamin one cannot get from aloe Vera juice is vitamin D. Aloe vera juice is readily available on the market. To get more of nutrients you may consider trying it with karela, tulsi or giloy
6. Benefits detoxification
We have already seen from above that aloe Vera helps our digestive system. Adding aloe Vera to water or smoothie supports good bowel movements and this keeps the waste and toxins moving out of your system.
Our article about detoxing for weight loss will equip you with all the necessary information on how to detox for weight loss, the best food to eat to cleanse naturally and how you can detox your liver. Take a quick read about detoxification for weight loss.
7. Good for skin and hair
Aloe Vera juice helps to maintain a smooth, radiant skin and promotes hair growth. Since aloe Vera juice is 99% water, it helps to hydrate and moisturize the skin, especially on hot days. This can help a variety of ailments like acne and dry skin, Eczema, and psoriasis.
8. Controlling blood sugar
Aloe Vera may help to control blood sugar among people with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.
According to a meta-analysis published in the journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, a total of 470 participants were subjected to juice and powder aloe Vera preparations. It was found out that Aloe Vera juice helped improve blood sugar levels among participants
9. Aloe Vera juice keeps you hydrated
Just like any kind of drink, drinking aloe Vera throughout the day helps you to stay hydrated. Plus it is low in calories, making it a perfect replacement for sugary drinks.
Always check the labeling to avoid added sugars because they can increase the number of calories in the aloe Vera juice.
How to make aloe juice
Ingredients
1 large aloe leaf
Filtered cool water
Instructions
- Wash the aloe leaf and cut off the thorns
- Peel off the sides to remove the aloe crystal
- Cut the peeled green leaf into cubes
- Place 6-8 cubes in the blender with 6 cups of filtered water and blend till the aloe leaves have fully dissolved
- You can also add lemon or lime to flavor the juice
Products made from aloe juice
Aloe vera is extensively used in beauty products. It contains proteolytic enzymes that repair dead skin cells on the scalp and acts as a great conditioner for your hair leaving it smooth and shiny.
Aloe vera promotes hair growth, stops itching on the scalp, and reduces dandruff. Some of the aloe vera products include;
- Deodorants
- Aloe vera gel
- Sunscreen moisturizers
- Shampoo
- Aloe Vera sleeping mask
- Mouth wash and toothpaste because of its antimicrobial properties.
When should I drink aloe Vera juice?
It is better to drink aloe juice in the morning on an empty stomach. It cures morning bowel movements, improves the digestive system and this is when it can effectively flush toxins out of your body.
Is it good to drink aloe Vera juice every day? And how much aloe Vera should you take a day?
The questions to how much aloe Vera you should drink and how many times a day you should drink aloe vera juice are common.
However, the answers to these questions depend on so many factors. These include;
Why you may be taking the juice or what you are trying to achieve, your age, weight, whether you’re on medication, and whether you have any symptoms.
First, the aloe leaves where we get the aloe juice contains more than 10 mg/L aloin content which is said to cause cancer in rats as well as irritating the gut. Many brands contain much higher aloin content and that can be dangerous, causing severe cramping and diarrhea
The aloe juice should, therefore, be taken in moderation plus seeking guidance from the doctor before use; if you happen to be on any kind of medication.
Having said that, you can start from 6 to 8 ounces per day and cut back once you get the desired effect in a few days. You can cut back to either one serving per day or drink two to three smaller servings depending on how effective you have got the results.
Is aloe Vera juice good for diabetics?
Research shows that drinking aloe juice can help to regulate blood glucose levels and therefore may help to treat people with diabetes.
Aloe is linked to decreased blood lipids (fats) in people with abnormal fat molecules in the blood, for example, people with type 2 diabetes.
Aloe is linked to decreased swelling and faster healing of wound injuries which are very common in people with diabetes. Leg wounds and ulcers in diabetics take a longer time to heal than in healthy people.
What are the side effects of using aloe Vera juice?
While there are many aloe Vera juice benefits, if used inappropriately, it can have serious side effects that may affect overall health. Here are some of the side effects of aloe Vera juice that you should take note of.
- Aloe Vera leaves contain latex; which is found below the green skin of the leaves. To some people, the latex may cause stomach related problems like irritation, stomach cramps, and low level of potassium.
- Aloe Vera juice may cause blood sugar levels to drop. It has laxative effects, which may accelerate the chances of electrolyte imbalance in diabetics. For people suffering from diabetes, always consult a doctor before consuming aloe Vera juice.
- The laxative effect of aloe Vera juice can bring about dehydration. Laxatives help constipation. But if taken in large quantities than recommended, they may cause dehydration.
- Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers should avoid aloe Vera juice due to its irritant qualities. It may stimulate uterine contractions in pregnant women leading to birth complications.
- Aloe Vera juice may affect your potassium levels in the body, leading to irregular heartbeat, weakness, and fatigue. It is therefore not recommended for the elderly and those with serious health conditions.
- The most common side effects of drinking aloe Vera juice is stomach unrest. The latex can cause cramps and pain in the tummy. Do not consume aloe Vera juice, especially if you are dealing with stomach problems.
Interactions with medicine
If you taking any drugs, talk to your doctor before you start using aloe Vera juice. This is because aloe Vera could interact with medicines and supplements like diabetes drugs, heart drugs, laxatives, steroids, and licorice root.
The oral use of aloe Vera gel may also block the absorption of medicines taken at the same time.
Bottom line
Although aloe Vera helps a variety of ailments like dry skin, acne, overweight, and so on, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health insists that there is not enough definitive evidence to support many purported health benefits.
Precautions must, therefore, be taken when ingesting aloe Vera or when it’s being used externally. High concentrations of aloin in aloe latex causes kidney failure and may interact with other medicines when someone on medications uses it.
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