My Daily Fruit of the Earth | Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera was apart of my daily diet and lifestyle when I was younger living in Houston, Texas. My mother would add pure aloe vera gel from her plant in our juice for breakfast every morning. If we had an abrasion or rash she would apply it to our skin. Aloe vera was a very normal thing for me. I was use to the taste and the consistency of it. Having a few plants around was a must to my daily way of life.
However, moving to Atlanta with my mom things started to change. The 75% clean life style my mother introduced me to wasn't as much of a priority as before. And being a teenager still, I didn't have the means to purchase the things I was use to consistently. In Atlanta the things and lifestyle I was use to wasn't as accessible for us like they were in Texas. As, my body continue to change for worse, I felt a strong desire to get back to the clean lifestyle I didn't fully value or understand before. After changing a few things, my body let me know all most immediately, that this is what it needed all along. This brings me to one of the main gems of my past lifestyle. ALOE VERA
What is ALOE VERA?
The aloe vera plant is a succulent plant species from the genus Aloe. It grows abundantly in tropical climates and has been used for centuries as a medicinal plant.
Aloe vera juice is a gooey, thick liquid made from the flesh of the aloe vera plant leaf. It’s commonly known to treat sunburns. But drinking this healthy elixir in juice form provides you with a number of other health benefits.
Aloe vera juice is made by crushing or grinding the entire leaf of the aloe vera plant, followed by various steps to purify and filter the liquid. With a mild, tolerable flavor, the juice mixes easily into smoothies and shakes. This makes aloe vera juice a practical whole food supplement.
What are the health benefits of drinking aloe vera juice?
Alkalinity
A body with an acidic pH is a breeding ground for disease. It’s an atmosphere where illness thrives. Help keep your body balanced by eating and drinking alkaline foods and beverages such as aloe vera juice.
Other smart alkaline food choices include:
leafy greens
root vegetables
citrus
nuts and seeds
apple cider vinegar
coconut vinegar
Hydration
The aloe plant is very water-dense, so it’s an ideal way to prevent or treat dehydration. Staying hydrated helps your body detox by providing a way for you to purge and flush out impurities. The juice also packs a hefty punch of nutrients that optimize your body’s organ output.
This is crucial, because your kidneys and liver are largely responsible for the task of detoxifying your blood and producing urine. For this reason, you need to keep them healthy.
Recovery from heavy exercise also requires rehydration through the intake of extra fluids. Your body requires more fluids in order to flush and rid itself of the lactic acid buildup from exercising. Try aloe vera juice instead of coconut water after your next hard workout.
Constipation
Drinking aloe vera juice helps increase the water content in your intestines. Research has shown the relationship between increasing the intestinal water content and the stimulation of peristalsis, which helps you pass stool normally.
If you’re constipated or have problems with frequent constipation, try incorporating aloe vera juice into your daily routine. Aloe also helps normalize the healthy bacteria in your gut, keeping your healthy intestinal flora balanced.
Clear, Soft, and Glowing Skin
Hydrating aloe vera juice may help reduce the frequency and appearance of acne. It may also help reduce skin conditions like psoriasis and dermatitis.
Aloe vera is a rich source of antioxidants and vitamins that may help protect your skin. The important compounds in aloe vera have also been shown to neutralize the effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, repair your skin from existing UV damage, and help prevent fine lines and wrinkles.
Pack with Nutritious
Aloe vera juice is jam-packed with nutrients. Drinking it is an excellent way to make sure you don’t become deficient. It contains important vitamins and minerals like vitamins B, C, E, and folic acid. I love adding it to my smoothies or juices
It also contains small amounts of:
calcium
copper
chromium
sodium
selenium
magnesium
potassium
manganese
zinc
Aids Digestive
Aloe vera contains several enzymes known to help in the breakdown of sugars and fats and to keep your digestion running smoothly. If your digestive system isn’t operating optimally, you won’t absorb all of the nutrients from the food you’re eating. You’ve got to keep your internal engine healthy in order to reap the benefits from your diet.
Aloe vera may help decrease irritation in the stomach and intestines. The juice may also help people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and other inflammatory disorders of the intestines. One study in 33 IBS patients found that aloe vera juice helped reduce the pain and discomfort of IBS. The study was not placebo-controlled, so more research is needed.
A Beauty Secret
Keeping aloe vera juice on hand can also be good for a number of beauty and health needs.
Try using it for the following:
makeup primer (apply before foundation)
makeup remover
sunburn soother
lightweight moisturizer
treatment for irritated scalp (mix in a few drops of peppermint oil)
What are the side effects of drinking aloe vera juice?
Decolorized (purified, low anthraquinone) whole leaf aloe vera is considered safe. A recent study in mice fed various concentrations of purified aloe vera for three months, in fact, showed no adverse effects at all from the juice.
Colored vs. decolorized aloe juice
On the other hand, nondecolorized, unpurified aloe vera juice can have many unpleasant side effects, including:
diarrhea
cramping
colon adenomas (benign tumors)
colon cancer after long-term use (rare)
Diarrhea can lead to severe pain, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalances.
Researchers have concluded that the side effects caused by unpurified aloe vera juice are a result of the presence of anthraquinone, which is considered a laxative. Though anthraquinone is an organic compound naturally found in the leaf of the aloe vera plant, it’s considered toxic and should be avoided.
Studies show that purified and decolorized juice is a safer option when compared to colored aloe vera. When shopping, look for the following statements on the label:
purified
decolorized
organic
safety tested