Aloe vera juice is made from Aloe vera leaves, which is a medicinal plant with good amounts of vitamin A, vitamin C and minerals, which have antioxidant, prebiotic, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, which help moisturize the hair. and skin, healing wounds and strengthening the immune system.
Aloe vera contains aloin, a compound present in the latex in the plant’s bark that has a laxative, antioxidant and antimicrobial effect. However, it is recommended to extract this substance from the plant before preparing the juice, as ingestion of more than 10mg per day of this substance can have a toxic effect, causing diarrhea and abdominal pain.
Aloe vera juice can be found ready-made in health food stores or supermarkets, and is considered safer. Another option is to prepare the juice at home, and it is recommended to remove the latex from the leaves beforehand, to eliminate excess aloin.
What is it for
Aloe vera juice can be indicated for:
1. Fight constipation
Aloe vera juice contains a small amount of aloin, a substance present in the plant’s bark that has laxative properties, which increases the amount of liquid in the intestine, stimulating bowel movements and facilitating the elimination of feces.
As it has a prebiotic action, stimulating the growth of beneficial bacteria in the intestine, aloe vera juice also balances the intestinal flora, helping to combat constipation.
2. Maintain skin and hair health
Vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E and minerals present in good quantities in aloe vera juice, hydrate and promote the formation of collagen in the skin, improving the elasticity and shine of skin and hair.
Furthermore, as it has an antioxidant effect, aloe vera juice fights free radicals in the skin, helping to combat premature aging.
3. Decrease cholesterol and triglyceride levels
Aloe vera juice contains great amounts of antioxidants that prevent the oxidation of fat cells, thus reducing cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood, and preventing some health problems, such as atherosclerosis, heart attack or stroke.
4. Strengthen the immune system
Aloe vera juice contains vitamin C, flavonoids and tannins, which are compounds with powerful antioxidant and immunomodulatory action, strengthening the cells of the immune system.
5. Help in the treatment of gastritis
Aloe vera juice stimulates the secretion of digestive enzymes and neutralizes stomach acids, helping to treat reflux and gastritis.
Furthermore, as it is a potent anti-inflammatory, aloe vera juice helps treat inflammation and can be a good option for treating stomach problems.
6. Help control diabetes
Aloe vera juice contains flavonoids, aloin and vitamin C, powerful antioxidants that improve the functions of the hormone insulin, promoting the balance of blood sugar levels and helping to control diabetes.
7. Help in the treatment of infections
Because it has antiviral, antibacterial and antiseptic effects, aloe vera juice helps heal wounds, treat burns, and treat problems such as psoriasis, herpes and candidiasis.
How to prepare aloe vera juice
To prepare aloe vera juice at home, you must remove the leaves from the plant, wash and dry them well, and cut off the thorns. Then, you must cut the base of the leaf and let the plant rest in a vertical position so that the latex (the yellow part present in the leaf) drains.
Then, cut the side parts of the leaf along its length with a knife or scissors. Afterwards, lay the leaf down and carefully lift the bark on one side, using a rounded object to avoid contaminating the gel with the latex that may still be contained in the plant. To remove the gel from the plant, you can use a non-sharp object or a spoon, discarding any green or yellow parts that are present in the gel.
Then, simply place the gel in the blender, in a proportion of 100 g of gel to 1 liter of water. You can also add 1 tablespoon of honey and a fruit such as lemon or orange to improve the flavor. Blend in a blender and drink.
Is it safe to drink juice prepared at home?
Some studies indicate that it is not safe to ingest aloe vera juice prepared at home without taking due care to separate the peel and the yellow part that contains the latex, because this substance may be related to the appearance of colon cancer. However, current studies are not conclusive, and more research is needed to prove these risks.
Possible and side effects
Aloe vera juice can cause abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, red urine, liver problems and lack of potassium in the blood, a condition that causes symptoms such as weakness, cramps, tingling, numbness and cardiac arrhythmia.
Who should not consume
Aloe vera juice is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women. This juice is also not recommended for children under 12 years of age.
In addition, ingestion of aloe vera juice is also contraindicated for people with diarrhea, liver problems, intestinal obstructions or stenosis, atony (lack of normal muscle movement), appendicitis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, unexplained stomach pain or dehydration. .
People who use medicines or other medicinal plants should always consult a doctor before ingesting aloe vera, as aloe vera can alter the action of some medicines.
