Drinking aloe vera juice in large quantities remains controversial, as some believe there are very bad side effects to this natural drink, while other contest all of its benefits. Decide for yourself if aloe vera juice is for you.
Benefits of aloe vera juice can be separated into two categories: internal and external. Applying the aloe vera juice on your skin or hair can have special properties, but a lot of other effects come from ingesting it.
What is Aloe Vera Juice Good for?
The most scientifically proven benefit of drinking aloe vera juice is related to its powerful antimicrobial ingredients. The juice can fight mouth bacteria, lowering the risk of dental problems and it can also provide relief for irritated gums.
The juice is also known to fight acid reflux symptoms, to improve digestion and clean the colon thanks to its laxative properties. Other benefits of aloe vera juice that have a lot less evidence supporting them include increased immunity, lowered blood sugar levels, stimulated metabolism and stabilized blood pressure.
Aloe vera juice is also used on minor skin lesions to help them heel faster, but it’s not recommended for deep wounds, where its ingredients may actually slow down the healing process.
Aloe Vera Juice for Hair
If you use it on your skin, you can also try aloe vera juice on your scalp and hair. Its main benefits include helping in hair-growth, reducing dandruff and preventing oil buildup on the scalp, which causes oily hair. Use aloe vera juice for hair or stick to the more concentrated gel if you can extract it from the plant yourself.
Aloe Vera Juice Side Effects
The only study that has linked aloe vera juices to cancer was done on rats and featured whole leaves, while aloe vera juice for human consumption doesn’t include most of the toxic leaf.
Natural chemicals in aloe vera can cause an upset stomach, diarrhea, and cause low blood pressure when consumed in large quantities. Aloe vera juice side effects may also include rashes.
Pregnant and nursing women, along with children under the age of 12, should not consume aloe vera juice made from the plant.
How to Make Aloe Vera Juice
After extracting the aloe vera gel from fresh leaves by cutting the spikes off the leaf, then cutting it sideways, you should mix this transparent inner gel in a blender with a little juice from any citrus fruit, preferably lemon.
Refrigerate the aloe vera gel after blending it for 2 minutes, then simply make the juice by adding 2 tablespoons of gel to a glass of water or fresh fruit juice.
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