Drinking Aloe Vera Juice

Question by crawford (Grand Rapids, MI)
Posted on April 17, 2008

Are there any health benefits to drinking Aloe Vera Juice daily?

Amy's Answer

Amy Bragagnini, MS, RD, is a registered dietitian and consultant…Read Full Bio

The Aloe vera plant has been a popular home remedy used for thousands of years. The leaves from the Aloe plant contain a light green clear sap. Aloe latex (also called aloe “juice” ) is found under the plant’s skin. Aloe gel is the clear gel obtained from the inner part of the leaf. The Aloe juice is watery, yellow and bitter tasting. Many people utilize the gel from the leaves to soothe wounds, burns, infections, etc. The Aloe juice has been used pharmaceutically for laxative purposes. The Aloe juice can irritate the inside of the digestive system, cause spasms, and increase mucous production. Your body will pull additional fluids into the digestive tract, leading to frequent stools. In 2002, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) required manufacturers of aloe-containing laxative products to remove those products from the market because no credible evidence showed aloe laxatives to be either safe or effective to use. If you are considering taking the aloe juice for laxative purposes, I would advise that you speak with your physician to obtain recommendations for over-the-counter laxatives. If constipation is a chronic problem for you, I would encourage you to increase your fluid intake, incorporate high fiber foods at consistent intervals in your diet, and choose foods that are lower in fat and sugar.