What Is Aloe Vera Juice?

Aloe vera juice is derived from the aloe vera plant, a succulent plant native to Sudan. Aloe vera favors arid climates and is commonly found throughout Africa and India. Its thick fleshy leaves are edged with toothlike serrations. Aloe vera is grown as an ornamental plant in landscapes and gardens and also as an indoor plant. Aloe vera juice, derived from the leaves, has been attributed with a wide variety of purported medicinal benefits, both topically and internally. Consult with your doctor before using aloe vera juice to treat a medical condition.

Antioxidant

Aloe vera juice may provide antioxidant benefits against radiation exposure. In a study published in the December 2003 issue of the journal "Pharmazie" 0.25 mL per kg body weight of aloe vera juice protected laboratory animals from radiation damage by decreasing levels of oxidized lipids and improvements in antioxidant levels and activity. Aloe vera also protected against radiation-induced increases in blood sugar levels, however, it did not reduce elevated insulin levels, in the study. The researchers concluded that aloe vera juice may be useful at preventing radiation damage by maintaining antioxidant status.

Anti-Ulcer

Ulcers may respond well to aloe vera juice, according to a study published in the July 2004 issue of the "Journal of Ethnopharmacology." In the study, aloe vera inhibited gastric acid secretion in laboratory animals and protected against injury to the lining of the stomach. The researchers noted that lower concentrations of aloe vera juice were more effective against stomach injury, in the study.

Antidiabetic

Antidiabetic effects of aloe vera were shown in a study published in the February 2006 issue of the "Journal of Ethnopharmacology." In the study on laboratory animals, diets with two percent aloe vera leaf suppressed elevation of blood sugar, decreased inflammation of the pancreas by more than half and protected against damaging effects of a compound known to be toxic to insulin producing cells. Insulin levels in the group that did not receive aloe vera were four times higher. Aloe vera also inhibited intestinal absorption of glucose and antioxidant phenol compounds in aloe vera protected the pancreas from toxicity.

Anti-Tumor

Liver protective benefits, including anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal effects have been established for aloe vera, according to a study published in the December 2007 issue of the "Journal of Nutrition Science and Vitaminology." The study investigated anti-tumor effects of aloe vera juice on the liver and found significant tumor inhibition in laboratory animals. Aloe vera juice inhibited DNA production in liver tumor cells and prevented tumor cell reproduction.

References

• "Pharmazie"; Effectiveness of Aloe Vera on the Antioxidant Status of Different Tissues in Irradiated Rats; Saada HN, at al.; December 2003
• "Journal of Ethnopharmacology"; The Effect of Aloe Vera A. Berger (Liliaceae) on Gastric Acid Secretion and Acute Gastric Mucosal Injury in Rats; Yusuf S, et al.; July 2004
• "Journal of Ethnopharmacology"; Antidiabetic Effects of Dietary Administration of Aloe Arborescens Miller Components on Multiple Low-Dose Streptozotocin Induced Diabetes in Mice: Investigation on Hypoglycemic Action and Systemic Absorption Dynamics of Aloe Components; Beppu H, et al.; February 2006
• "Journal of Nutrition Science and Vitaminology"; Mechanism of Growth Inhibitory Effect of Cape Aloe Extract in Ehrlich Ascites Tumor Cells; Kametani S, et al.; December 2007