5 Healthy Benefits of Drinking Aloe Vera Juice

It’s a good idea to talk with a healthcare professional before trying anything new when it comes to your diet and health — including adding aloe vera juice or supplements to your routine.

Aloe Vera

There are hundreds of aloe plants, but aloe vera is unique in its ability to help you inside and out. Aloe vera is the only edible form of aloe. The aloe vera plant is native to the Arabian peninsula, but it grows throughout the world. This shrubby, pointy plant has been cultivated for its soothing gel for thousands of years.

Aloe vera gel isn’t just good for skin issues. It can be blended with water to create aloe vera juice, which is full of nutrients.

What Is Aloe Vera?

Aloe vera is gel from the leaves of aloe plants. People have used it for thousands of years for healing and softening the skin . Aloe has also long been a folk treatment for many maladies, including constipation and skin disorders. Modern-day research into aloe vera’s benefits is mixed, with some evidence showing it can cause cancer in lab animals.

There are no foods that contain aloe vera, so it must be taken in supplement or gel form.

Some forms of aloe vera are safer to take than others, and chronic use is discouraged.

The per capita price of healthcare per year is higher in the United States than in any other nation in the world, according to National Public Radio (NPR). America spends nearly 2.5 times as much per person as the United Kingdom does, despite having comparable wealth and a lower life expectancy.

Aloe Vera Benefits

The nutrients found in aloe vera juice can provide some health benefits. Beta-carotene is a yellow-red pigment that’s found in aloe vera plants. It acts as an antioxidant that can help support eye health, including retinal and corneal function.

Relieves heartburn. Heartburn is a painful condition that involves acid leaving the stomach and traveling up the esophagus. A recent study has shown that aloe vera juice can reduce the symptoms of heartburn without any uncomfortable side effects.

Treats constipation. Aloe vera juice contains several compounds known to act as laxatives. While drinking aloe vera juice is unlikely to cause digestive issues in people with normal bowel movements, it has shown promise as a way to relieve constipation.

May improve IBS symptoms. Aloe vera juice may be a potential treatment for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This condition involves the inflammation of the intestine, leading to pain and other issues. Aloe has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. In one trial, people with IBS who drank aloe vera juice said some of their symptoms improved. However, scientists need to do more research.

Aloe Vera Nutrition

Aloe vera juice is a rich source of antioxidants, which help fight free radicals. This lowers oxidative stress on your body and reduces the risk of chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.

Aloe vera juice is also an excellent source of:

• Vitamin C
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin E
• Beta-carotene
• Folic acid
• Calcium
• Magnesium

Nutrients per serving

One 8-ounce serving of pure aloe vera juice includes:

• Calories: 8
• Protein: Less than 1 gram
• Fat: Less than 1 gram
• Carbohydrates: 3 grams
• Fiber: 2 grams
• Sugar: Less than 1 gram

Aloe vera juice contains high levels of magnesium, which is a vital nutrient for nerve and muscle use. Magnesium helps your body with more than 300 different enzyme reactions, including those that regulate your blood pressure. It also helps regulate heart rhythm.

Aloe Vera Uses

Research backs up the ancient use of topical aloe vera as a skin treatment, at least for specific conditions. Studies have shown that aloe gel might be effective in treating skin conditions including:

There’s also strong evidence that aloe vera juice, which contains latex, taken by mouth is a powerful laxative. In fact, aloe juice was once sold in over-the-counter constipation drugs . But because aloe vera’s safety was not well-established, the FDA ordered in 2002 that over-the-counter laxatives containing aloe vera either be reformulated or removed from store shelves.

Aloe vera gel taken by mouth seems to help lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes . It may also help to lower cholesterol . The results of aloe vera studies for other medical conditions have been less clear.

How much aloe vera should you use?

Creams and gels with aloe vera vary in dosage. Some creams for minor burns have just 0.5% aloe vera. Others used for psoriasis may contain as much as 70% aloe vera. As an oral supplement, it has no set dose.

For constipation, some use 100-200 milligrams of aloe vera juice — or 50 milligrams of aloe vera extract — daily as needed. For diabetes, 1 tablespoon of the gel has been used daily. High oral doses of aloe vera or aloe vera latex are dangerous. Ask your doctor for advice on how to use aloe vera.

How to Prepare Aloe Vera Juice

Aloe vera juice can be found in supermarkets around the country. It typically comes in bottles, mixed with water to make it less thick.

It’s also possible to make aloe vera juice yourself. Take an aloe vera spike from a plant and trim the pointed edges off of the sides. Then, carefully slice off the skin on the flat side of the leaf and remove the gel from inside. This gel is the edible part of the plant.

Make sure you remove all traces of the skin from the plant. The skin adds a bitter, unpleasant flavor. You can rinse the gel under running water to help remove all traces of it.

Once you have the gel, you can toss it in a blender. Blend until smooth, then add water until it reaches the thickness you like. The result is a fresh, clean-tasting beverage.

Here are some ways to add aloe vera juice to your diet:

• Drink the juice on its own.
• Add aloe vera juice to smoothies.
• Use aloe vera juice in cocktails.
• Mix aloe vera juice into lemonade.
• Use aloe vera juice in gelatin.

Aloe Vera Risks

Talk to your doctor before using it. Researchers warn against the chronic use of aloe vera. But if the aloe vera product is free of aloin — an extract of the plant that has been found to cause colorectal cancer in rats — it may be OK as a topical remedy for sunburn . Aloin is found between the outer leaf of the aloe plant and the gel inside.

• Side effects. Topical aloe vera might irritate your skin. Oral aloe vera, which has a laxative effect, can cause cramping and diarrhea . This may cause electrolyte imbalances in the blood of people who ingest aloe vera for more than a few days. It can also stain the colon, making it hard to get a good look at the colon during a colonoscopy. So avoid it for a month before having a colonoscopy. Aloe vera gel, for topical or oral use, should be free of aloin, which can irritate the gastrointestinal tract.
• Risks. Do not apply topical aloe vera to deep cuts or severe burns. People allergic to garlic, onions, or tulips are more likely to be allergic to aloe. High doses of oral aloe vera are dangerous. Don’t take oral aloe vera if you have intestinal problems, heart disease , hemorrhoids , kidney problems, diabetes, or electrolyte imbalances.
• Interactions. If you take any drugs regularly, talk to your doctor before you start using aloe vera supplements . They could interact with medicines and supplements like diabetes drugs, heart drugs, laxatives, steroids , and licorice root. The oral use of aloe vera gel may also block the absorption of medicines taken at the same time.

Given the lack of evidence about its safety, aloe vera supplements should not be used orally by children and by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding .

Show Sources

Longe, J., ed. The Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine , second edition, Gale Group, 2004.

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: “About Herbs: Aloe vera.”

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: “Herbs at a Glance: Aloe vera.”

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database: “Aloe.”

Natural Standard Patient Monograph: “Aloe vera.”

National Toxicology Program: ”Aloe vera.”

David Kiefer, MD, research fellow, Department of Family Medicine, University of Wisconsin; clinical assistant professor, Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson.

University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, Riverside: “Aloe Vera Isn’t Just for Sunburns Anymore.”

Randomized Controlled Trial : “Efficacy and Safety of Aloe Vera Syrup for the Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Pilot Randomized Positive-Controlled Trial.”

International Journal of Dental Hygiene : “Efficacy of aloe vera mouthwash versus chlorhexidine on plaque and gingivitis: A systematic review.”

PubMed: “Effects of Aloe vera cream on chronic anal fissure pain, wound healing and hemorrhaging upon defection: a prospective double blind clinical trial.”

University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture: “Plant of the Week: Medicine Plant (Burn Plant).”

5 Healthy Benefits of Drinking Aloe Vera Juice

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. Historically, it’s been used both topically and orally ( 1 , 2 ).

This article explores the potential health benefits of aloe vera when consumed as juice or in other forms.

Based on test-tube studies, it’s thought that the aloe plant boasts anti-inflammatory properties. That’s why many people use it to treat and relieve certain skin conditions, like burns and wounds ( 1 , 2 ).

Its proposed anti-inflammatory activity is thanks to polyphenols, a group of antioxidant-rich plant compounds ( 3 ).

Antioxidants help protect your body from damage caused by free radicals — also known as oxidative stress. Research has shown that chronic oxidative stress can increase the risk of some health conditions, including heart disease and even some cancers.

However, there is currently no research indicating that aloe vera juice directly has an effect on the risk of these conditions.

Summary

Aloe vera juice contains polyphenols, which are rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants have been shown to have several health benefits, but specific research on aloe’s antioxidants and human health is lacking.

Aloe vera is thought to have anti-inflammatory properties, making it a potential treatment for burns and other skin disorders like atopic dermatitis ( 1 , 2 ).

Many of the benefits of aloe vera on skin health are seen when it’s applied topically, rather than consumed as a drink. Still, limited research on oral aloe vera supplements does exist ( 2 , 4 ).

One study found that taking 40 mcg of aloe sterol per day for 12 weeks improved skin elasticity in a group of men under age 46 ( 5 ).

Another study similarly found that consuming aloe vera improved collagen production and reduced the appearance of wrinkles in a group of women over age 40 ( 6 ).

It’s important to note that in both of these studies, aloe was consumed as a supplement, not juice. Additionally, while this research is promising, it’s not conclusive and more human trials are needed.

Summary

Topically applying aloe vera is commonly believed to help treat certain skin conditions. Some research has found that taking aloe vera supplements may help improve skin elasticity and reduce wrinkles, but more studies are needed.

Older research has indicated that both the gel and juice from aloe vera may lower fasting blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes ( 7 , 8 ).

Oppositely, two separate reviews found that drinking aloe vera juice did not improve fasting blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes — though it did in those with pre-diabetes ( 8 , 9 ).

Further, another study observed that aloe juice improved both blood sugar and blood fatty acid levels in those with pre-diabetes ( 10 ).

While this sounds promising, research is limited. Larger, randomized, and controlled trials are needed to confirm the relationship between aloe vera juice and blood sugar control.

Additionally, aloe vera extract supplements are not standardized, regulated, or considered a safe alternative treatment for diabetes ( 11 ).

Summary

Preliminary research has found that aloe vera juice may improve fasting blood sugar levels in people with pre-diabetes. Still, newer, stronger data is needed to explore and potentially confirm these benefits.

Aloe vera juice contains anthraquinone glycosides. These are plant compounds with laxative effects that could help relieve constipation. However, research on this topic is outdated and the safety of using aloe vera juice to treat constipation is unknown ( 7 ).

In 2002, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) no longer approved aloe vera laxatives for over-the-counter sales, as they haven’t been tested to confirm their safety and efficacy ( 12 ).

Some preliminary research suggests that aloe vera syrup could help treat and reduce the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Other early research shows promising results for using aloe vera extract to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) ( 13 , 14 ).

Ultimately, while it’s possible that aloe vera may have digestive benefits, there’s not yet enough research indicating the safety or dosage of its use for these purposes.

Summary

Aloe vera juice may work as a laxative, though research on the safety of aloe vera products is lacking. Some research suggests aloe could have other benefits on digestive health, but more research is needed.

Some animal studies suggest that aloe vera offers antibacterial properties and could support the treatment of some dental and oral conditions ( 15 ).

Plus, a study in 74 people with oral submucous fibrosis — a chronic condition that causes pain and inflammation in the mouth — showed that taking 1 ounce (30 mL) of aloe vera juice twice daily for 3 months was as effective as traditional treatments like hydrocortisone injections ( 16 ).

Another study found that an aloe vera mouthwash effectively reduced the severity and pain related to oral mucositis — a common side effect of chemotherapy and radiation treatments — in individuals with head and neck cancers ( 17 ).

Further, a study in 64 people with cancer found that using an aloe vera mouthwash solution 3 times daily for 14 days helped reduce the occurrence and associated pain of chemotherapy-induced stomatitis, which is an infection in the mouth ( 18 ).

It’s also speculated that aloe vera mouthwash could help reduce dental plaque and manage pain and swelling following oral surgery (19, 20 ).

Although more long-term data is needed, these studies indicate that aloe vera juice could offer an alternative approach to treatments for certain dental and oral conditions ( 16 , 17 ).

Summary

Aloe vera juice and mouthwash may improve various dental and oral conditions thanks to their potential antibacterial properties. Still, more research is needed.

Aloe vera can be found as a juice or a gel. The juice can be thought of as the sap, as it comes from the leafy part of the aloe plant. The gel, on the other hand, is a thick substance that comes from the inner parts of the plant.

Generally, aloe vera juice can be consumed as a drink, while the gel is often applied topically.

Some research suggests using aloe vera juice and supplements for various health conditions. However, most of the available data comes from small, short-term studies, and larger, human clinical trials are still needed.

It’s a good idea to talk with a healthcare professional before trying anything new when it comes to your diet and health — including adding aloe vera juice or supplements to your routine.

This is especially true if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding or chestfeeding, as the safety of aloe vera products remains unknown in these groups.

Similarly, be sure to review aloe vera supplements or juices with your doctor first if you’re taking any medications to avoid possible interactions.

Aloe vera is commonly known as a topical gel used to treat sunburn. Promisingly, it may also provide other health benefits, largely due to its antioxidant properties.

Preliminary research has indicated that aloe vera may benefit your skin, dental, oral, and digestive health. It may even improve blood sugar control. However, more long-term data from human clinical trials is needed to confirm these benefits.

Be sure to talk with a healthcare professional before trying any aloe vera products, especially if you’re pregnant, nursing, or taking any medications.

Just one thing

Try this today: If you’d like to incorporate aloe vera juice into your routine, try blending it into a smoothie to mask the slightly bitter taste.

Last medically reviewed on January 3, 2022