You may have used aloe vera shampoo or slathered some on your skin to treat sunburns, but have you considered drinking aloe vera? Yes, that thick, gooey liquid is becoming a trendy health elixir. Aside from being an effective topical treatment, aloe vera does indeed have plenty of health benefits when consumed.
Before you’re about to drink aloe vera, though, take precaution, especially if you plan to harvest your own aloe vera. Aloe vera needs to be properly processed before it can be ingested. Decolourised whole leaf aloe vera is considered safe. This is purified and is low in anthraquinone, which has laxative properties and is sometimes considered toxic. When shopping for aloe vera juice, make sure it is labelled with: purified, decolourised, organic and safety tested. Some negative side effects of aloe vera that’s not decolourised are diarrhea, and cramping. Also, aloe vera has been found to have negative effects when taking certain medications, such as drugs considered a substrate of Cytochrome P450 3A4 and CYP2D6.
Cleansing
Aloe vera can rid the body of any toxic waste, thanks to its many amino acids, vitamins and minerals. Aside from cleansing your system, aloe vera’s anti-inflammatory properties can aid with discomfort and irritation in the body, like menopause. Reducing inflammation in the body also results in a stronger immune system. Furthermore, aloe vera can balance the alkalinity or pH levels of the body, which means your body will be less of a breeding ground for disease.
Hydration
Aloe vera gets its gooey texture from being so dense with water. We all know how staying hydrated is important and aloe vera can help you to stay hydrated aside from drinking water. Not only does it provide you with extra fluids, but also a good amount of essential vitamins and minerals.
Nutrition
Aloe vera is rich in nutrients, making it a great dietary supplement. Aloe vera contains vitamins B, C and E, folic acid, calcium, copper, chromium, sodium, selenium, magnesium, potassium, manganese, and zinc. Also, if you’re a vegetarian or a vegan looking for a natural source of vitamin B-12, then look no further than aloe vera.
Digestion
Drinking aloe vera can help with a number of digestive issues, including constipation and heartburn. The anthraquinone in aloe vera is a natural laxative and, in the proper amounts, can help you gently and normally pass stool. Aloe vera also increases the water content in your intestines, which helps the process. On the other hand, aloe vera can also treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which is also a result of inflamed intestines. Aloe vera can soothe your heartburn attacks as well. It has even been proven to fight gastric ulcers and prevent them from becoming larger.
Skin and hair
Aloe vera has a number of effective beauty uses. Its soothing, detoxifying and anti-inflammatory properties can also benefit people coping with acne, rosacea, psoriasis and dermatitis. It’s also popular as a treatment for sunburns, not just it’s the cooling effect, but that it can neutralise ultraviolet (UV) radiation, repair the skin from existing UV damage, and help prevent fine lines and wrinkles.
Sources: https://www.shape.com/weight-loss/food-weight-loss/ask-diet-doctor-truth-about-aloe-vera-juice
https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/aloe-vera-juice-benefits#4