Is Aloe Vera Juice Ready for You?

Raw juice is a healthy fad, but there is another raw drink that sweeps the area these days: aloe juice.

Its affiliated hashtag, #loeverajuice, collected more than 19.9 million (M) views on TikTok, users claim that sipping 1 to 2 ounces of green material twice a day enhances clear color and enhances color digestion.


Bria Lemirande's video (1.2M fans) introduced the juice after she said just a week later, her skin was faster and her digestive system "never improved."


Since then, the TikTokers have vowed to try green juice all week, like Sophie Bohenko (4K fans) and Momo Vimolchalao (20.6K fans). But reviews about the juice have been mixed.


In a March 22 video review, Bohenko reported that his digestion improved and that his skin was clear, but he did not notice much difference. On the other hand, Vimolchalao shared in his video review on March 23 that the juice significantly reduced his psoriasis symptoms.


But some, like Marianna Moore (386.8K fans), are concerned that this practice does not account for special digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).


Here's what you need to know about aloe's juice - which includes how many health professionals recommend that you eat and who you say is best if you avoid it.


What is Aloe Vera Juice?

Aloe juice is usually made from gel (inner leaf) or latex and gel (whole leaf), in addition to citric acid, which is an acid found naturally in citrus fruits.


The gel contains phytonutrients that are responsible for aloe vera's anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and antimicrobial properties, says Daniel Allen Okamoto, MD, a synthetic chemist at the University of California at Davis.


Latex, however, found in whole leaf juice, contains anthraquinone called aloin, which promotes laxative effect in the body and can put users at risk for vomiting symptoms such as diarrhea, a study published in January 2022 in Molecular Biology Reports found.


The International Aloe Science Council states that aloe vera juice is filtered over and over again until 99.9 percent of the anthraquinone diarrhea is gone. The “inner leaf” juice, however, may have a bit of a hassle to start with - as the filtration process avoids latex by concentrating inside the leaf.


According to many commercial products, such as Lily of Desert Aloe Vera Juice, which are offered in internal forms with whole leaves, 1 to 2 oz size, and it is safe to swallow up to 8 oz daily.


Does Aloe Vera Juice Provide Health Benefits?

There is very little research on aloe juice in particular. But Drs. Okamoto says research into the effects of aloe vera drinks can provide clues, although those studies are limited.


"It is reasonable to conclude that there may be health benefits to aloe's juice, as long as it does not contain high levels of added sugar," he said.


Regarding the skin benefits of aloe vera juice, Okamoto does not know of any specific studies showing that swallowing aloe vera gel will provide the same benefits as using it on top. However as a gel, you may think that there may be some benefits of crossover, based on the study of other types of aloe.


Potential Benefits of Other Types of Aloe Vera

For example, one study found that women over the age of 45 who took aloe vera gel and water for 90 days experienced improved shrinkage, skin elasticity, and collagen production.


The plant is widely known for its anti-inflammatory properties, according to previous research - which can help reduce redness and swelling when applied to the skin, such as sunburn. Similarly, studies in which rats were given oral aloe vera daily found that the gel provided the same anti-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory properties of the antibody needed to combat chronic skin conditions. However, population research is needed to show if people can benefit from the same benefits from these ingredients.


A study of 44 patients with moderate to moderate ulcerative colitis found that they had reduced activity after taking oral aloe vera twice a day for four weeks. Jenna Volpe, RDN, based in Austin, Texas, and a dietitian, says that according to her personal experience working with patients, aloe vera juice may “cool” the inflamed gastrointestinal tract, such as heartburn. , ulcers, gastritis, or colitis. ” That being said, research confirming these results is lacking.


For any benefit, enjoying a balanced juice is essential. "Eating more than one teaspoon [of whole leaf] of aloe juice at one time may result in abortion, as aloe can relax the intestines and cause diarrhea," says Volpe.


While the juice may be beneficial, Kendra Gutschow, RDN, a nutritionist with Noom, based in Leander, Texas, says there is not enough evidence (regarding juice) to provide a recommended amount of consumption, so she suggests. drinkers should consult their doctor before taking it, as with any supplement.


Health Risks of Aloe Vera Juice

"In general, the gel appears to be safer than latex or the formation of the whole [water] leaf," Okamoto said.


A large amount of a laxative component such as latex in aloe vera juice is associated with electrolyte imbalance and intestinal disorders such as abdominal pain, vomiting, or diarrhea, according to the book Studies in Natural Products Chemistry.


It can also cause problems for people with kidney problems. This plant is linked to kidney failure and can be considered a toxic carcinogen in animals, although further research is needed in humans. One study found that aloe vera whole leaf extract taken orally had carcinogenic effects on mice, with no available information of the inner leaf gel.