What are the benefits of drinking aloe vera?

Aloe vera is a succulent plant that grows in dry and hot climates. Healthcare practitioners have used it for thousands of years for its healing and medicinal properties. Often, aloe vera is topically applied to the skin, and it can help with some skin conditions. 

Some people consider drinking aloe vera also has health benefits, including helping skin conditions, the digestive system, blood sugar levels, and dental conditions. 

Aloe vera latex vs. gel 

Aloe vera juice is the brown or yellow liquid taken from the leaves of the aloe vera plant. Aloe vera juice is also called aloe latex.

Aloe vera gel comes from the inner parts of the leaf. This gel is often clear and odorless. 

Some aloe products contain the entire aloe leaf, including the gel and the latex. Other aloe products may contain only the gel or only the latex. 

Antioxidants in aloe vera 

Research suggests that aloe vera contains high levels of antioxidants. The juice found in its leaves contains many bioactive compounds, including vitamins like B1, B2, and B12, and minerals like calcium, chromium, and iron. 

Aloe vera also contains flavonoids which are helpful antioxidants, and tannins, which are chemical compounds that may have health benefits. 

Skin health 

There isn’t much research on how drinking aloe vera can benefit your skin. But a few studies suggest that oral aloe vera supplements may improve skin elasticity and collagen production and reduce wrinkle appearance.

More research will help us understand whether drinking aloe vera can help with skin health. Currently, studies on the oral use of aloe vera only include supplements.

There is research suggesting that applying aloe vera to your skin can help with burns and other skin conditions. 

Digestion 

Aloe vera may help with digestive issues. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH) lists three trials of oral aloe vera treating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). One of the trials concluded that aloe vera could help IBS, but the other two didn’t show any benefit. More research will help determine the benefits of drinking aloe vera for IBS. 

A 2015 study also suggests that oral aloe vera gel could help with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) by reducing heartburn, gas, and regurgitation. But more research on the effectiveness of aloe vera in improving GERD will confirm this. 

A compound called anthraquinone, found in aloe vera latex, acts as a natural laxative, so drinking aloe vera juice may help constipation. But drinking too much of the juice can cause negative effects such as diarrhea, cramps, and abdominal pain. It is unclear whether aloe vera latex is safe for relieving constipation.

Also, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve over-the-counter (OTC) aloe vera as a laxative.

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Blood sugar levels

2015 research suggests that consuming aloe vera may help lower the blood sugar levels of people with prediabetes. A review of eight studies also suggests that aloe vera consumption may improve blood sugar levels in people with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. 

But more research will determine whether drinking aloe vera can help with blood sugar levels. Experts highlight that there isn’t currently enough evidence on the safety of using aloe vera to manage blood sugar levels.

Dental and oral  

There is some evidence that aloe vera can help with dental conditions. A study suggests that aloe vera juice may help reduce inflammation in the mouth. A 2015 study also suggests that aloe vera mouthwash can reduce the pain caused by oral mucositis.

A older, 2014 study suggests that aloe vera mouthwash could help reduce dental plaque. But NIH states that there is not enough evidence to know whether this is accurate. 

Contacting a doctor 

Consider speaking with your doctor before drinking aloe vera. Excessive consumption of aloe vera can cause diarrhea and other harmful side effects. The NIH warns that drinking aloe latex can cause abdominal pain and cramps, and drinking aloe leaf extracts may relate to cases of acute hepatitis. 

Both aloe gel and aloe latex may also be unsafe during pregnancy and while nursing. 

Summary

Topical aloe vera use has proven popular due to its medicinal and healing properties.

Some research suggests that drinking aloe vera may have health benefits, including improving blood sugar levels, and skin, dental, and digestive conditions.

But more research will confirm whether aloe vera’s effects benefit health, as there are also reports of adverse reactions, like diarrhea and stomach cramps.

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