Aloe Vera: An Ancient Superfood
- Mar 25, 2021
- 6 min read
With so many so-called superfoods out there, the meaning of the word can become diluted. As more whole foods earn the moniker, consumers tend to get skeptical that it’s just another diet fad. However, it’s safe to say aloe vera is one of the original superfoods.
Aloe Vera Benefits: Vitamins, Minerals and More
Aloe vera is full of good stuff—75 active components to be exact. The naturally-occurring vitamins, minerals and amino acids in the plant are necessary for good health. To understand how aloe vera can be a disease-fighter, it’s best to understand what’s exactly inside the clear gel.
Vitamins
Aloe vera includes several necessary vitamins: A, C, E, B1, B2, B3, B6, and B12.
Vitamins A, C, and E are antioxidants and help fend off free radicals which can contribute to cancer, heart disease and other illnesses.
Vitamin A - Integral for a strong immune system and bone growth. It helps fight off viral or bacterial threats to the body.
Vitamin C - A powerhouse vitamin that is believed to protect against cancer and cardiovascular problems. It also supports the immune system.
Vitamin E - May protect against heart disease while promoting a strong immune system.
B1 Vitamin - Also known as thiamine, B1 plays a role in digestion and contributes to a healthy nervous and immune system.
B2 Vitamin - Goes by the name riboflavin and works as an antioxidant. B2, like other B vitamins, provides the body with energy by creating fuel from food. It also plays an important role in maintaining a strong nervous system.
B3 Vitamin - Also known as niacin, B3 vitamins are used to treat high cholesterol, migraines, and diabetes. It’s also used to cleanse the body of toxins and promote good digestion.
B6 Vitamin - Important to many of the body’s systems, including immune, cardiovascular and digestive. The vitamin is also connected to the serotonin and dopamine process.
B12 Vitamin - Primarily found in animal products, B12 is necessary for healthy blood cells and helps make DNA.
Minerals
Calcium - Famous for its role in strong bones, calcium is also vital to the cardiovascular and nervous systems.
Sodium - Often discussed as a negative mineral, sodium is essential to blood pressure, muscles and nerves.
Iron - Makes up blood cells and proteins in the body. It’s necessary for energy.
Magnesium - This mineral has a big job; it’s necessary for hundreds of processes in the body, including blood glucose regulation and keeping the immune system strong.
Potassium - Helps clean cells out, protects blood vessels and is thought to help lower the risk of heart disease.
Copper - Needed for growth and general health. This mineral helps maintain healthy heart function and is thought to help prevent osteoporosis.
Anthraquinones
Aloe contains 12 organic compounds called anthraquinones. Aloin, which causes a laxative effect, and emodin help with pain relief and work as antibacterial and antiviral agents. Anthraquinones are often removed from commercial aloe products.
Polysaccharides
Aloe vera contains a unique type of sugar called Acemannan. The polysaccharide is believed to have antiviral properties, ease gastrointestinal problems and stimulate the immune system.
Fatty Acids
Aloe vera consists of four plant-based fatty acids which are shown to have anti-inflammatory and antiseptic qualities. The acids also contain pain-relieving components.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), aloe vera contains 20 amino acids, seven of which are essential.
The plant also has hormones that aid in wound healing and eight enzymes.
Aloe Vera Health Benefits
Who knew an aloe vera plant had so much goodness packed into its leaves? Despite the bevy of nutrients inside the gel, modern-day science has sought to confirm many claims made about the plant. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)–an arm of the National Institutes of Health (NIH)–says the gel isn’t approved for any oral uses primarily because of a lack of evidence. Researchers have spent decades analyzing the plant as a health remedy and have come up with fascinating results.
1. Aids in Digestion
Aloe vera is popular in natural health as a digestion aid.
Aloe is chock full of antioxidants which promote a strong immune system and the polysaccharides also have anti-inflammatory qualities. Some people use aloe to help with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), ulcers and to detoxify the intestinal track.
2. Strengthens the Immune System
Aloe’s ability to detoxify helps keep the immune system in check. The body has a much better chance at fighting off illness and infection if as many nutrients as possible can make their way into the bloodstream.
Polysaccharides are the primary component of aloe vera gel. These compounds, which are found in plants, create the thick quality of the gel. Some of these plant compounds feed the immune system.
3. Lowers Cholesterol
A few studies have indicated that aloe can play a role in lowering cholesterol. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), daily intake of 10 ml or 20 ml of aloe for 3 months was shown to reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol by 18 percent and total cholesterol by 15 percent.
4. Provides Pain Relief
Aloe vera’s anti-inflammatory and analgesic qualities may be helpful in relieving muscle and tendon pain. The gel is sometimes used topically in sports medicine to soothe achy muscles, but taken orally, the anti-inflammatory ingredients may also help with pain.
It’s important to note that if you’re using aloe vera to reduce inflammation, you should also rebalance your diet. By eliminating unhealthy foods, the aloe vera has a better chance of working.
5. Diabetes Treatment
There are several ways aloe vera may help those suffering from diabetes. Some research has demonstrated aloe vera’s ability to lower blood glucose levels. However, the NIH warns that combining glucose-lowering medication with aloe vera can have harmful effects.
People with Type 2 diabetes may also look to aloe as a way to lower excessive amounts of fat in the blood.
Aloe’s ability to heal wounds faster may also benefit people with diabetes who have suffered from ulcers or wounds on their legs.
6. Relieves Arthritis Pain
Arthritis is a chronic condition in which joints are inflamed causing pain and stiffness. Aloe vera contains several enzymes and amino acids that are known to have anti-inflammatory qualities. Evidence is limited, but some people take aloe vera gel orally to ease the pain of arthritis.
7. Skin Care
The NIH says aloe vera is “possibly effective” for several skin ailments, including cold sores, psoriasis and itchy rashes on the skin or mouth. And although it’s most commonly used for sunburns, research hasn’t shown that it reduces redness. Most people use the gel for its natural cooling effect on the skin.
Although studies haven’t proven the gel can prevent burns from radiation therapy, some research has shown it can promote faster healing after treatment.
Aloe Vera Side Effects, Drug Interactions and Contraindications
Caution should be taken when ingesting aloe vera as there can be potential side effects. The aloe latex—the yellow juice near the rind—is where most of the danger lies. However, ingredients in the more commonly used gel itself can also be harmful to some people. Always test a small amount to ensure you aren’t allergic to the plant.
Here is a list of potential side effects. When in doubt, always check with your doctor.
Regular use of the entire leaf—which includes the latex—can deplete potassium in the body. Electrolyte imbalances can lead to muscle weakness and cardiac problems. According to the NIH, ingesting one gram of aloe latex for multiple days can be fatal.
Products containing the latex will exacerbate intestinal illnesses such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
People with diabetes should monitor their blood sugar levels when using aloe.
Ingesting any form of aloe is not recommended during pregnancy as it may cause uterine contractions or miscarriage. Aloe should also be avoided during breastfeeding.
Excessive use of aloe latex may cause kidney failure and shouldn’t be used by people with kidney problems.
If you are purchasing drinking aloe vera, buy from trusted manufacturers that are certified for quality.Only then you can be sure that your product does not contain ground aloe peel, under which there is dangerous latex.
Drug Interactions
As mentioned above, aloe vera can lower blood sugar levels which can be problematic for people taking insulin or hypoglycemic medication. Because there is the potential for low potassium counts from aloe, people who take medication (Digoxin) for heart rhythm problems may see adverse effects when using aloe.
It’s possible that aloe may decrease the body’s blood clotting abilities. Taking aloe orally before surgery is not recommended since certain anesthesia also decreases blood clotting.
If used topically, the NIH states that aloe may increase the absorption of steroid creams (hydrocortisone).
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