Unlocking the Power of Aloe Vera Juice: Benefits and Uses for Health and Wellness
Aloe vera juice is made from the leaves of the Aloe vera plant, which is a medicinal plant with good amounts of vitamin A, vitamin C, and minerals. It possesses antioxidant, prebiotic, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties, which help hydrate the hair and skin, heal wounds, and strengthen the immune system.
Aloe vera contains aloin, a compound present in the latex in the plant’s peel, which has a laxative, antioxidant, and antimicrobial effect. However, it is recommended to extract this substance from the plant before preparing the juice because 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, which is considered safer. Another option is to prepare the juice at home, but it’s recommended to remove the latex from the leaves beforehand to eliminate excess aloin.
What is it for? Aloe vera juice may be indicated for:
- Fighting constipation Aloe vera juice contains a small amount of aloin, the substance present in the plant’s peel that has laxative properties. It increases the amount of liquid in the intestine, stimulates intestinal movements, and facilitates the elimination of feces.
Due to its prebiotic action, which stimulates the growth of beneficial bacteria in the intestine, aloe vera juice also balances the intestinal flora, helping to combat constipation.
- Maintaining skin and hair health The vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and minerals present in good amounts in aloe vera juice hydrate and promote collagen formation in the skin, improving elasticity and the shine of both skin and hair.
Additionally, due to its antioxidant effect, aloe vera juice fights free radicals in the skin, helping to combat premature aging.
- Lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels Aloe vera juice contains excellent amounts of antioxidants that prevent the oxidation of fat cells, thus lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood and preventing some health problems such as atherosclerosis, heart attack, or stroke.