Aloe vera is most commonly used as a topical soothing agent to help heal burns, cuts and scrapes, but aloe can also be useful for its juice. Also called aloe latex, aloe vera juice is a yellow liquid contained in the leaf skin of the plant. People drink aloe juice for a variety of purposes and to treat certain medical conditions, but always consult your health care provider before drinking aloe juice for the health benefits.
Reduces Blood Glucose
Drinking aloe vera juice could reduce your blood glucose levels, especially if you have diabetes, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center. Two single-blind clinical trials published in 1996 found that drinking aloe juice may help to decrease blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes, says the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Heals Ulcers
Aloe juice taken orally may also help to treat stomach ulcers and ulcerative colitis, says the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center cites a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial published in 2004 that found taking aloe orally could potentially help to treat active ulcerative colitis. Also, two studies conducted in Thailand on children and adults that were published in 2006 suggested some reduced risk of kidney stones in participants who regularly drank aloe juice.
Treats Asthma
If you have asthma, drinking aloe juice may help. Aloe has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, notes the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. These effects may help to treat asthma symptoms, but more scientific evidence is needed to confirm aloe's use for asthma, says the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Boosts Immunity
Aloe juice may help to support your immune system, says the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Some studies have revealed that aloe juice or gel may even have immunity effects on preventing or treating cancer. Certain chemical compounds in aloe appear to suppress cancer cell growth, notes the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. One randomized study published in 2009 found that administering aloe along with chemotherapy helped to treat people with metastatic cancers.
Eases Constipation
Drinking aloe juice can help to relieve your constipation due to its laxative effects, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. Aloe vera juice contains anthraquinone, a chemical that's responsible for the extreme laxative actions, explains the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. But because of aloe juice's potential negative effects like stomach pain and cramps, other herbal remedies are usually recommended for constipation. In fact, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration issued a final rule in the Federal Register in 2002 stating that ingesting aloe juice or gel isn't safe for use as an over-the-counter stimulant laxative product.
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