Aloe vera juice is an amazingly healthy and tasty treat. The aloe vera plant is known around the world for its healing properties. And drinking aloe vera juice is a quick and easy way to take advantage of all its benefits.
The juice is made by taking the gel found inside of the plant’s leaves and combining it with fresh fruit, juices, and ingredients like ginger and honey. Try one of these 10 aloe vera juice recipes to help you maintain healthy hair, skin, and digestion – deliciously!
7 Health Benefits of Aloe Vera Juice
1. Maintains healthy digestion – If you have any pre-existing digestive issues, drinking fresh aloe vera juice can reduce flare ups and lessen the amount of medication you need to take. It’s been used to treat IBS and constipation because of the compounds it contains, called anthraquinones, which have laxative properties that reduce intestinal water absorption.
2. High in antioxidants – The aloe plant boasts high levels of antioxidants because of the polyphenols it contains. Their powerful anti-inflammatory properties can help with chronic conditions such as arthritis and have been shown to be beneficial for treating burns and other wounds. The antioxidants protect the body from oxidative stress, which can lower your risk of developing heart disease and some types of cancer.
3. Regulates blood sugar – For those who are dealing with pre-diabetes, drinking aloe vera juice can lower their fasting blood sugar levels. Studies are currently being done to see if those same benefits carry over for those with type-2 diabetes.
4. Reduces acne – If you’re prone to acne flare ups, aloe vera juice can help keep your skin clear when you make it part of your diet. Bonus: You could save money on expensive skincare products.
5. Supports a healthy liver – Aloe vera is full of phytonutrients. Those phytonutrients help to support a healthy liver, which is key for detoxification. It’s also very hydrating which helps your liver to function properly.
6. Hydrates your skin – If you’re looking to achieve hydrated, glowing skin, aloe vera’s vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants can help to protect your skin from premature aging and cellular damage. Gibberellins, which are a plant growth regulator found in aloe, can promote the formation of elastin and collagen.
7. Improves oral health – Drinking aloe vera juice can contribute to good oral health. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, it may reduce gingivitis and periodontitis. The anthraquinones aloe vera contains can prevent cavities by controlling levels of bacteria in the mouth.
How to Make Aloe Vera Juice at Home
Aloe vera juice is easy and inexpensive to make right in your own kitchen.
If you prefer, you can also find pre-bottled aloe vera juice in the refrigerated section, but be careful to read the label. It may contain extra ingredients that are less than healthy, including artificial colors or flavors.
When it comes to aloe vera juice, making it fresh is best – and you’ll know exactly what’s in it. You can find a single aloe vera leaf right in the produce section of your local grocery store for around $2 each. Look for one that is large and heavy, about 1 inch thick, and about 22-24 inches long.
Once you have your aloe vera leaf, follow these steps to help you prep the aloe plant for making juice:
- Start by washing and drying the aloe leaf.
- Grab a cutting board and place the leaf spike-side down.
- Use a sharp knife to carefully cut along the edges of the leaf, removing any spikes along with top and bottom. When you’re done, the aloe gel should be exposed on all sides.
- Then use your knife to slowly cut down the leaf and remove the skin on one side only. It’s important to pay attention so you don’t remove too much of the gel underneath. If you notice a yellowish ooze, don’t worry. That’s just aloe latex, and you can rinse it off with water or wipe it away with a paper towel.
- When you’ve removed one side of the skin, score the aloe gel into one-inch squares to make it easier to remove.
- Finally, take your knife and remove the other side of the skin, rinsing or wiping off any aloe latex.
- To make a simple aloe vera juice, take the cubes of aloe vera gel and place them in a blender along with a little water. Blend for two to three minutes until any lumps are removed. You can add ice cubes during blending or after for a chilly, refreshing drink.
If you have any extra aloe gel, you can store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to one week.
11 Best Aloe Vera Juice Additions
On its own, aloe vera juice can have quite a bitter taste. Consider adding one or more of these ingredients to help make it more palatable.
1. Fresh mint
2. Natural honey
3. Lemon juice
4. Orange juice
5. Lime juice
6. Cranberry juice or soda
7. Fresh peaches or peach juice
8. Fresh apples or apple juice
9. Fresh pears or pear juice
10. Cucumber
11. Agave
10 DIY Aloe Vera Juice Recipes
Aloe Vera Lemonade Slush | Well Vegan
Pineapple, Papaya, & Aloe Vera Juice | Tarladahal
Aloe Vera Apple Juice | Eat Smarter
Aloe Vera Drink | Food Network
Aloe Vera, Honeydew, & Lime | Goodnature
Aloe Vera Juice | Brooklyn Farm Girl
Peachy Ginger Blast | Yummly
Homemade Aloe Vera Grape Juice | Coco and Cocoa
Aloe Drink with Orange | Eat Smarter
Watermelon Juice & Aloe | Swasthi’s Recipes
Before you try these aloe vera juice recipes, be sure to check with your health provider. As a rule of thumb, stick to drinking it once or twice a week.
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