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Aloe vera juice, aloe water, aloe drinks, whatever you call it, it is not only refreshing and delicious, but it also has many health benefits. Find out how to make aloe vera juice with this easy recipe! My kids ask for aloe vera juice every time we go to Trader Joe’s. They love the refreshingly sweet flavor and little pieces of chewy aloe vera. When we noticed aloe vera leaves at Whole Foods recently, we decided to try making aloe juice or aloe water ourselves. It was fun and easy to make and very tasty. Aloe vera is a succulent plant in the Liliaceae family. The leaves are filled with gel that has many health benefits both orally and topically. Is Aloe Vera Juice Good for You?With my kids drinking so many aloe drinks, I started wondering, “Is aloe juice good for you?” So I did some research to learn more about the health benefits. Like many things, there are more and less healthy varieties of aloe juice available in stores. The aloe drink sold at Trader Joe’s is made by a brand called OKF and includes organic sugar and grape flavor. It contains 60 calories and 11 grams of sugar per 8 oz. cup. 5 Aloe Vera Juice BenefitsThe aloe vera plant has been used medicinally for thousands of years, particularly for wound healing, but for other uses as well. Aloe vera contains over 200 biologically active compounds including enzymes, 18 amino acids, vitamins A, B1, B3, B6, C, and E. It also contains minerals like potassium, calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, and chloride. Aloe vera leaf is said to be the most used medicinal plant in the world. There are many aloe vera leaf benefits, which you can read about in-depth here. The most important of the aloe vera constituents, however, are its polysaccharides, which make up 6-15% of the plant. 1. Oral HealthStudies have found that the anti-inflammatory properties of aloe vera may reduce gingivitis and periodontitis. In addition, compounds in aloe vera called anthraquinones may help control bacteria that leads to cavities. 2. Promotes Hydrated Glowing SkinAloe vera is very hydrating and soothing and taken internally, which may help prevent acne and dermatitis. In addition, the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants may help protect the skin against cellular damage and premature aging. Further, plant growth regulators found in aloe called gibberellins promotes collagen and elastin formation. 3. Digestive HealthAloe leaf juice has been used all over the world for various gastrointestinal problems. One of the most common uses for aloe vera juice is the treatment of IBS and constipation. The laxative compounds found in aloe vera are called Anthraquinones, and they work by reducing intestinal water absorption. This compound is found in the natural latex of the plant. 4. Anti-InflammatoryThe gel inside the aloe vera leaf contains anthraquinones with powerful anti-inflammatory properties. In one study, aloe vera extract reduced inflammation in arthritic rats by 48%. 5. It’s a Detox Drink and May aid in Weight LossLike our other favorite Detox Drinks, aloe vera has been found to support healthy liver function, which is very important for detoxification. Studies have found that it is protective against alcohol-induced fatty liver. It may also have the ability to lower cholesterol levels and heart disease risk. Studies have found that lophenol and cycloartenol found in aloe have the potential to reduce belly fat. How to Make Aloe Vera JuiceMaking aloe vera juice at home is easy and really just requires two ingredients: an aloe vera leaf and water. The two get blended together to break down the inner aloe leaf gel and dilute it. From there you can flavor the fresh aloe juice in a number of ways. There are some important things to know when working with aloe leaf, however. Step 1: Get a Piece of Aloe Vera LeafYou can find aloe vera leaves at more natural grocery stores such as Whole Foods and Sprouts. I got mine at Whole Foods. You’ll only need one leaf as there’s quite a bit of gel hiding underneath the thick skin. I used about half of the leaf to make 1 quart of juice. Step 2: Peel the Aloe Vera LeafUse a sharp knife to cut away all of the skin, revealing the aloe gel center. Be very careful as the gel makes hands and knives very slippery. Aloe vera leaves are comprised of three main layers: green outer skin, yellow latex, and clear gel. It’s important to remove all of the latex, as this contains the natural aloin which is a natural laxative. Step 3: Rinse the Aloe GelAloe vera naturally has a very bitter taste. It’s important to give it a good rinse to remove some of this bitterness and wash away any residual latex. Step 4: Blend with WaterDilute the aloe gel with water by blending in a blender. You can blend until it’s completely smooth, or pulse so that there are chewy bits (my kids’ preference). The gel has a similar consistency to Sea Moss Gel, which also has similarly wonderful health benefits. Aloe Vera Drink Flavor VariationsFresh, pure aloe vera juice can be left as-is and won’t taste like anything. You can store it in the fridge and add to diluted juices or drink as is.
Frequently Asked QuestionsHow much aloe vera juice should I drink daily?To reap the health benefits of aloe juice, it’s recommended to drink one to eight ounces per day. What are the side effects of drinking aloe vera juice?Aloe vera can have a strong laxative effect, so it’s important to only consume diluted aloe vera in the form of juice. Never eat the gel alone, as this can result in permanent kidney damage. Because the safety of internal aloe use is unknown in people with liver and kidney disease, do not use it if you have liver, kidney, intestinal, heart, or electrolyte problems. There may be drug interactions, particularly for those taking diabetes medications, diuretics, or laxatives. Aloe contains natural latex, so those with latex allergies should be extra cautious. Is Homemade Aloe Juice Healthier than store-bought?Generally yes, homemade juices are healthier because they are fresher and the nutrients have not had time to break down. Further, the polysaccharides in commercially produced aloe vera drinks may be destroyed during processing. Where can you buy aloe vera drinks?If you can’t find fresh aloe vera leaves, you can always buy store-bought aloe juice. As mentioned above, my kids like the juice from Trader Joe’s, however, there are more pure varieties available at other natural foods stores. You can also find it on Amazon. Ingredients
Instructions
NotesFlavor Variations
Nutrition Information: Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1 Nutrition information is automatically calculated by Nutritionix. I am not a nutritionist and cannot guarantee accuracy. If your health depends on nutrition information, please calculate again with your favorite calculator. Can I mix aloe vera gel with water to drink?Next, carefully cut into the leaves. Extract the gel you see and mix it with water. Presto — you now have tasty aloe vera juice to sip. That this simple drink offers so many health benefits might be difficult to believe.
What is the best way to drink aloe?Take one glass of water and add one lemon juice to it. Now, take a tablespoon of aloe vera gel (preferably from the plant and not packaged one). Now put this solution in a pan and heat it while stirring constantly (until the gel blends in the water). Now add a tablespoon of honey and have it warm.
What are the benefits of drinking water with aloe?The Benefits Of Drinking Aloe Vera Juice. Loaded with Vitamins and Minerals. ... . Fights Digestive Disorders. ... . Flushes our Toxins from the Body.. Helps Treat Anemia. ... . Balances Hormonal Problems. ... . Excellent for Hair and Skin. ... . Boosts Immunity.. How much aloe water should I drink?Some start consuming a large serving of 6 to 8 ounces three times a day. But once they get the result, either they reduce the number of times to one or decrease the serving size. But we suggest that if you are consuming aloe vera juice for the first time, you should drink 4-6 ounces in a day to avoid complications.
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