6 Health Benefits Of Drinking Aloe Vera Juice
Aloe vera is a plant species of the genus Aloe. It grows wild in tropical climates around the world and is cultivated for agricultural and medicinal uses. Aloe is also used for decorative purposes and grows successfully indoors as a potted plant.
Aloe vera juice is made by crushing or grinding the entire leaf of the aloe vera plant, followed by various steps to purify and filter the liquid. With a mild, tolerable flavor, the juice mixes easily into smoothies and shakes. This makes aloe vera juice a practical whole food supplement.
Aloe vera juice is a gooey, thick liquid made from the flesh of the aloe vera plant leaf. It’s commonly known to treat sunburns. But drinking this healthy elixir in juice form provides you with a number of other health benefits.
But for health sake, we’ll like to highlight on the side effects of aloe vera juice first;
*Decolorized (purified, low anthraquinone) whole leaf aloe vera is considered safe. A recent study in mice fed various concentrations of purified aloe vera for three months, in fact, showed no adverse effects at all from the juice.
Colored vs. decolorized juice
On the other hand, nondecolorized, unpurified aloe vera juice can have many unpleasant side effects, including:
- diarrhea
- cramping
- colon adenomas (benign tumors)
- colon cancer after long-term use (rare)
Researchers have concluded that the side effects caused by unpurified aloe vera juice are a result of the presence of anthraquinone, which is considered a laxative. Though anthraquinone is an organic compound naturally found in the leaf of the aloe vera plant, it’s considered toxic and should be avoided.
Studies show that purified and decolorized juice is a safer option when compared to colored aloe vera. We therefore advice to look for the following statements on the label when shopping for the gel:
- purified
- decolorized
- organic
- safety tested
*Drug interactions with aloe vera juice
Aloe juice has been shown to interact with certain medications. If you are taking any drug that is considered a substrate of Cytochrome P450 3A4 and CYP2D6, do not drink aloe vera juice. Aloe vera juice may increase the risk of side effects of these drugs.
Aloe may also add to the effects of sevoflurane, causing excessive bleeding during surgery. If you are taking sevoflurane, check with your doctor before drinking aloe juice.
*How much sugar is in aloe juice?
Unlike most juices, a 4-ounce serving of aloe vera juice contains no sugar and only a few calories. If you’re watching your sugar intake, aloe vera juice is a healthy choice.
*Where to find aloe vera juice
Since aloe can be grown as a potted plant, it can be planted in pots and kept home or yet still planted to serve as decorations in the house. In this case, you can get fresh juice by just pucking from your pot at home. Aloe vera juice can also be purchased online or in most health food markets. When shopping for aloe vera juice, it’s important to consider the quality of the product.
Look for organic, pure, and 100 percent aloe juice. It’s important to drink pure aloe vera juice rather than a blend that has fillers. Read the label carefully.
The following are 6 health benefits of drinking aloe vera juice:
1.Heartburn Relief
Drinking aloe vera juice may give you relief when heartburn attacks. The compounds present in aloe vera juice help control secretion of acid in your stomach. The effects have even been shown to combat gastric ulcers and keep them from getting larger.
2.Nutritious Boost
Aloe vera juice is jam-packed with nutrients. Drinking it is an excellent way to make sure you don’t become deficient. It contains important vitamins and minerals like vitamins B, C, E, and folic acid. It also contains small amounts of:
- calcium
- copper
- chromium
- sodium
- selenium
- magnesium
- potassium
- manganese
- zinc
Aloe vera is one of the only plant sources of vitamin B-12, too. This is excellent news for vegetarians and vegans. Keeping your food and drink intake nutrient-rich is key in combating most preventable diseases.
3.For Constipation
Drinking aloe vera juice helps increase the water content in your intestines. Research has shown the relationship between increasing the intestinal water content and the stimulation of peristalsis, which helps you pass stool normally.
If you’re constipated or have problems with frequent constipation, try incorporating aloe vera juice into your daily routine. Aloe also helps normalize the healthy bacteria in your gut, keeping your healthy intestinal flora balanced.
4. Hydration
The aloe plant is very water-dense, so it’s an ideal way to prevent or treat dehydration. Staying hydrated helps your body detox by providing a way for you to purge and flush out impurities. The juice also packs a hefty punch of nutrients that optimize your body’s organ output.
This is crucial, because your kidneys and liver are largely responsible for the task of detoxifying your blood and producing urine. For this reason, you need to keep them healthy. Recovery from heavy exercise also requires rehydration through the intake of extra fluids. Your body requires more fluids in order to flush and rid itself of the lactic acid buildup from exercising. Try aloe vera juice instead of coconut water after your next hard workout.
5.Beauty Hacks
Keeping aloe vera juice on hand can also be good for a number of beauty and health needs.
Try using it for the following:
- makeup primer (apply before foundation)
- makeup remover
- sunburn soother
- lightweight moisturizer
- treatment for irritated scalp (mix in a few drops of peppermint oil)
6.Liver Function
When it comes to detoxing, healthy liver function is key. Aloe vera juice is an excellent way to keep your liver healthy. That’s because the liver functions best when the body is adequately nourished and hydrated. Aloe vera juice is ideal for the liver because it’s hydrating and rich in phytonutrients.
For a health boost, drink up to 8 ounces of aloe vera juice per day. You can pour it over ice, mix it in with your smoothie or favorite juice, or just drink it from the bottle.
