Aloe vera is likely most familiar to you in gel form as a sunburn remedy. However, drinking it as a juice has also gained widespread attention due to the many health benefits it can offer. Aloe vera juice is a thick, clear liquid made from the flesh of the aloe vera plant leaf. It is known to improve digestive health, blood sugar regulation, skin health, and much more. Read on to find out why and how science backs up these benefits!

What Is Aloe Vera Juice?

To make aloe vera juice, the entire leaf of the aloe vera plant is crushed or ground, followed by a process of purification and filtration of the liquid. It can be consumed on its own but is often mixed with other ingredients to enhance the flavor. Be sure to select aloe vera products that are intended for internal consumption, as they have been stripped of aloe latex, which can have a laxative effect and may upset your stomach.

Aloe Vera Juice Nutrition Facts

So, what does this remarkable juice contain? Here is the nutritional content in a 100-gram serving of aloe vera juice drink with Vitamin C added, according to the USDA (1):

Water: 96.2 g
Calories: 15 kcal
Protein: 0 g
Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 3.75 g
Sugars: 3.75 g
Calcium: 8 mg
Iron: 0.15 mg
Sodium: 8 mg
Vitamin C: 3.8 mg

As you will notice, aloe vera juice contains mostly water. This makes it a very hydrating beverage. It is low in calories and contains some vitamin C, which can help boost your immune system and support skin health. Just be wary of the sugar content, especially if you need to monitor your sugar consumption.

Aloe Vera Juice Health Benefits

Now let’s talk about the various potential health benefits of drinking Aloe Vera juice.

1. Digestive Support

For an upset stomach, aloe vera juice may be able to calm things in the gut by decreasing inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. Several studies have noted its ability to help manage irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). One such systematic review concluded that aloe vera was effective and safe in treatment for IBS in comparison to a placebo (2).

If heartburn is an issue, aloe vera juice may also assist with that. One pilot study concluded that aloe vera syrup safely alleviated the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) for most people who participated in the study (3).

Furthermore, aloe vera may affect the beneficial bacteria in your gut. One study found that although aloe vera wasn’t effective for decreasing IBS symptoms in all individuals, some participants did experience relief. This may indicate that aloe vera may not be effective for everyone due to different bacterial populations in the gut microbiome (4).

2. Immune System Boost

Need some extra support for your immune system? Aloe vera can help with that too. It is packed with polysaccharides, including acemannan, which can help boost immune function. Acemannan has been found to trigger cell activity that is a part of your body’s immune response (5).

Aloeride, another constituent, has also been noted to enhance immune activity through an increase in specific cytokines (6).

People in a clinical trial taking a supplement containing a blend of aloe vera gel, extracts of Poria cocos, and rosemary experienced swift elevations in immune markers. According to the study, these participants had activated immune cells and elevated antioxidant enzyme levels (7).

One study noted that processed aloe vera gel did not significantly enhance the efficacy of the flu vaccine but did lower the incidence of upper respiratory infections in healthy adults (8). Therefore, aloe vera may help keep colds and sniffles at bay.

3. Blood Sugar Regulation

For individuals with prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, or anyone looking to keep their blood sugar regulated, maintaining healthy blood sugar levels is extremely important. Consuming aloe vera juice may aid with that. Research has indicated that aloe vera juice can lower blood glucose levels and levels of HbA1c—which is a measure of blood sugar control over 2 to 3 months.

A study found that aloe vera extract helped improve blood glucose levels and lipid profiles in prediabetic patients (9). This suggests that aloe vera juice may aid in managing blood sugar levels naturally.

A meta-analysis of multiple trials suggested that aloe vera supplementation may lead to improvements in fasting blood glucose and HbA1c levels (10).

A separate review also noted that aloe vera might decrease blood sugar and lipid levels in individuals with prediabetes and early untreated diabetes, indicating its potential for naturally aiding in metabolic health management (11). However, more high quality studies are needed.

4. Cholesterol Management and Heart Health

Your heart will love you for drinking some aloe vera juice! Research indicates that it can naturally enhance cholesterol levels by decreasing total cholesterol, bad LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, and increasing good HDL cholesterol levels.

In one study, supplementing with aloe vera leaf gel significantly lowered total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels in patients with hyperlipidemic type 2 diabetes, with no side effects noted (12).

As the meta-analysis noted above, there were also substantial decreases in triglycerides and LDL cholesterol found with aloe vera supplementation as well (11).

5. Liver Health

The liver is responsible for detoxifying the body, and aloe vera juice may offer some assistance in that process. Aloe vera may help protect the liver from damage due to its antioxidant effects.

Studies in animals have demonstrated positive findings. One study concluded that aloe vera polysaccharides protected mice from chronic alcohol-induced liver injury (13).

Another rat study found that aloe vera gel decreased oxidative stress levels in the liver, indicating it may aid in prevention of liver damage (14).

Although the results are promising, the majority of the research has been conducted on animals, and more human studies are needed to validate these effects.

6. Skin Health

Want radiant skin from within? Although most use aloe vera as a topical skincare remedy, consuming the juice may also help keep your skin in tip-top shape.

In women over 45 taking an aloe vera supplement, researchers found that skin elasticity significantly improved and wrinkles decreased in appearance (15).

In another study of 30 women, the intake of dietary aloe vera gel noticeably reduced facial wrinkles and enhanced elasticity within 90 days. The treatment increased collagen production and reduced the genes responsible for collagen breakdown (16).

Additionally, the aloe sterols from the plant have been found to encourage skin cells to create more collagen and hyaluronic acid, which results in plumper, more youthful-looking skin (17).

7. Oral Health Benefits

Aloe vera juice may help you maintain a bright smile! It can promote oral health due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory characteristics.

In patients with oral submucous fibrosis—a chronic disease of the oral cavity—those who ingested aloe vera juice experienced an improvement in their symptoms and an increase in mouth opening (18).

An additional study concluded that aloe vera mouthwash was equally as effective as the gold-standard chlorhexidine mouthwash when it came to decreasing plaque and enhancing gum health (19).

One study even noted that aloe vera mouthwash is just as effective as chemical mouthwash at reducing plaque and bacteria, suggesting aloe vera as a viable commercially available mouthwash (20).

8. Enhanced Nutrient Absorption

Interestingly, aloe vera juice may enhance the absorption of vitamins in your body.

A study concluded that aloe vera preparations improved the absorption of both vitamin C and vitamin B12 in healthy participants (21). Therefore, taking vitamins with a glass of aloe vera juice may help you get even more out of them!

9. Hydration Hero

Water is essential to maintaining a healthy body, and aloe vera juice can help keep you hydrated.

Since aloe vera juice is extremely water-dense and contains minerals that make water absorption easier, it is a great way to replenish fluids.

Furthermore, it is a great swap for sugary and juice-based drinks.

10. Contains Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Aloe vera is high in several antioxidants, especially polyphenols, that combat free radicals in the body. This can help lower oxidative stress and inflammation. One review noted that the bioactive compounds of aloe vera have been demonstrated to possess potent antioxidant activity, which is great news for your health (22).

Moreover, the anti-inflammatory properties of aloe vera may also extend to inflammatory-related conditions. One study found that it can decrease the levels of inflammatory compounds in the body (23).

How to Use Aloe Vera Juice

Looking to start consuming aloe vera juice? Here are some ways to begin:

Start Slowly: Begin with a small dose and gradually increase to assess your tolerance. Some individuals may experience digestive issues when consuming too much too quickly.
Select High-Quality Products: Ensure that your aloe vera juice is purified and decolorized with a certification of safe food and drinking use.
Mix It Up: Combine the juice with smoothies, juices, or water if you are not a big fan of the flavor to make it easier to consume.
Adhere to Recommended Dosages: Take as directed in the suggested serving sizes listed on the label or by a healthcare provider.

Aloe Vera Juice Side Effects and Risks

Although there are several potential benefits to aloe vera juice, there are some potential risks to note:

Digestive Issues

Aloe latex found in some of these products may have a laxative effect, which may cause diarrhea or cramping. To prevent this, ensure that your aloe vera juice contains no aloe latex. The FDA has expressed concerns over the safety of aloe latex being used as a laxative (24).

Furthermore, the International Agency for Research on Cancer has rated aloe vera whole leaf extract (non-decolorized) as possibly carcinogenic to humans when consumed orally (24). This applies to the aloe latex component of the leaf, which is why you should definitely stick to purified products.

Potential Liver Toxicity

While aloe vera may be beneficial for the liver, it has been reported that aloe vera may be linked to inflammation of the liver. A review highlighted the potential negative side effects of aloe vera associated with liver toxicity (25). Those who have liver issues should consult with a healthcare provider before incorporating aloe vera juice.

Interactions with Medications

Aloe vera juice can interfere with some medications like diabetes medications, diuretics, and heart medications. Be sure to consult with your physician if you are taking any medications to confirm it is okay for you to add aloe vera juice to your diet.

Allergic Reactions

Allergic reactions with aloe vera juice are uncommon, but some individuals may experience them. These may manifest as a skin rash, itching, or trouble breathing. Discontinue use immediately and consult a healthcare professional if you experience any of these symptoms.

Conclusion

Aloe vera juice may sound like another health trend, but it has the potential to help with far more, including digestion, blood sugar levels, healthy skin, heart, liver, and immune system support. While research is still emerging, drinking this natural juice might just boost your health.

Make sure to select high-quality, purified products, and start with small amounts to gauge how it affects you. Also, speak to a health and wellness professional for advice before drastically changing your diet, particularly if you have health issues or are on medication. Cheers to good health!

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