Aloe Vera Juice Is A Powerhouse of Nutients!
Nutritional HighlightsAloe vera juice is remarkably rich in nutrients that we are only beginning to understand. Plus, it is the only known plant source of vitamin B12 (mushrooms also have B12 but as fungus, they are technically not plants).
But beware! Research has found that a compound in fresh aloe vera juice known as 'aloin' is carcinogenic in large quantities in mice. To avoid aloin, use bottled aloe vera juice found in health food stores marked "purified" or "decolorized" on the label.
Throughout the ages, dating as far back as ancient Mexican legend, aloe vera has been known for a surprising array of uses, including curative powers. It is popular today as an ingredient in many skin products for the relief of skin irritation, minor burns and sunburn.
A Few Tips
I used to encourage growing a plant in your home and sniping off a ½ inch to throw into your juicer or smoothie machine just as you would add fresh ginger or parsley. Now I use store-bought juice or gel due to the research cited above. Just be sure any store-bought product is pure aloe without any additional ingredients.
Latest Research
Recent nutritional research reveals that aloe vera juice has a multitude of health benefits. It is one of the richest sources of nearly all the ‘building blocks’ necessary for physical health. It’s abundant in essential vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids, phytonutrients, simple and complex sugars, fatty acids and compounds which assist in enhancing our body’s well-being and fighting a remarkable number of diseases. Aloe vera is now cited as one of the few known plants whose juice is nutritionally all-encompassing. Let’s review the fascinating nutritional benefits of aloe vera.
Aloe is rich in vitamins A, C, E, and B (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, and 12). Aloe is the only plant resource of B-12 presently known. Vitamin A aids in healthy vision and bones, and like vitamin E, acts as a powerful antioxidant. The body’s nervous system is especially assisted by B1, B2, and B6. Cell production relies in part on B12.
The minerals in aloe include several rarely found together in one substance such as potassium, calcium, iron, zinc, copper, chromium, magnesium, selenium, sodium and manganese. These minerals strengthen our bones and teeth, carry oxygen throughout our blood stream, keep our skin and brain and reproductive system healthy and inhibit osteoporosis.
Amino Acids
Aloe vera juice also contains choline which is not technically considered a vitamin or mineral, but is essential for a healthy brain.
The abundance of amino acids in aloe is especially unique. Of the twenty-two amino acids our bodies require, aloe contains twenty. Seven of the eight ‘essential’ amino acids in aloe can only be manufactured from the foods we eat. Others also found in aloe play roles in our health and wellness that we are only beginning to understand.
The list of enzymes in aloe is equally long and impressive. Each is remarkable for their myriad of health benefits.
Enzymes are required for protein development, assisting the digestive system inAloe Vera Juice Benefits breaking down fats, helping to carry energy to our cells, and increasing the body’s absorption of oxygen. They act as an anti-bacterial, strengthening the immune system, and inhibiting the buildup of excess water. Other important benefits include maintaining healthy tissue throughout the body, especially in our bones, intestines, liver, kidneys and placenta, promoting the digestion of foods, pain relief, wound healing, and reducing inflammation.
Aloe is remarkable for its natural sugars, including mono- and polysaccharides. Energy is delivered through the action of monosaccharides. Polysaccharides provide bone strength, assist digestion, and support healthy levels of cholesterol. Further, polysaccharides boost liver function, help support the immune system, and avert certain diseases in the intestinal system.
Antiviral & Antibacterial
Anthraquinones in aloe vera juice have a laxative effect and prevent disease. They assist the body in utilizing the nutrients from the foods we eat. They also have a pain-relieving effect, as well as being antivirals and antibacterials. When ingested in even small quantities, anthraquinones cleanse the colon and are now being used to treat a number of intestinal diseases, including irritable bowel syndrome and colitis.
Sterols in aloe significantly reduce cholesterol, thus lowering the risk of heart disease. Exciting new research is demonstrating the ability of phyto-sterols to reduce the risk of breast, lung, ovarian and stomach cancers, through their capacity to protect the body from developing cancer cells.
Pain & Stress
Yet another therapeutic property recently discovered is phyto-sterols’ ability to lower ‘oxidative stress,’ found in many diseases such as Alzheimer’s, bipolar disorder, chronic fatigue, heart problems, Parkinson’s, and schizophrenia. Phyto-sterols may also significantly reduce aging.
Finally, aloe contains the main component of aspirin: salicylic acid, which assists the body in fighting bacteria and combating inflammation.
Aloe Vera Juice & Smoothie Recipes
Important Note: Too much of anything is usually not good. This is true of aloe vera. It should be ingested in very small amounts, and not habitually, as the side effect of diarrhea may occur.
Aloe Pineapple Coconut
½ Coconut – without skin
3 cups Pineapple – without skin
1 tsp aloe juice or gel
Aloe Mango Orange
2 Mangoes – with skin, no seed
½ Orange – without rind
1 tsp aloe juice or gel
Aloe Celery Beet
3 stalks Celery
2 Beets – skin and all
½ Lemon – without rind
1 tsp aloe juice or gel
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