Nutritional Benefits Of Aloe Vera

An encyclopedia describes aloe vera as a highly effective immune stimulant.

All through history, aloe vera plants and the inner gel are known for various home remedies, burns being a significant one. However, with increasing interest and further analysis by science, it becomes obvious that aloe vera has tremendous nutritional benefits.

The history of aloe vera use dates back to the time of Cleopatra, an Egyptian Queen, with flawless skin, (who died in 70 BC), was credited to the use of aloe vera gel. Hence aloe vera has been used by ancient Africans, Greeks and Asians both for culinary and medicinal use.

Today, the aloe vera plant is very common all over the world and is commercially cultivated because the nutritional benefits are now appreciated all over. This article will only consider the nutritional benefits.

There are two hundred and fifty varieties of Aloe Vera plants all over the world, but only four are grown for their nutritional benefits. Aloe Vera Babandensis is the most cultivated for health benefits and is native to North Africa.

An aloe vera plant is able to live for over a hundred years in a conducive climate. A typical Aloe Vera leaf consists of gel, which is 96% water, and the latex. I n a three-part, the outer leaf protection, the inner thin skin (latex) which encloses the gel. The latex is bitter, so it is the gel that is most useful. It is not however easy to separate the gel from the latex, one reason most people buy the juice, supplements, lotion and creams

Nutritional Compounds In Aloe Vera

Vitamins — are required by the body in minute amounts (hence called micro-nutrients), for vital body functions and processes. Vitamins found in Aloe Vera are A, B1 (Thiamine), B2 (Riboflavin), B 12, C, E, Folate, and Niacin.

Minerals — Like vitamins, minerals too, are micro regards their need for body functions and processes. Essential minerals in Aloe Vera are Zinc, Chromium, Copper, Selenium, Iron, Potassium, Manganese, Calcium, Sodium, Magnesium.

Antioxidants —Are like body soldiers that go about looking for dangerous free radicals and gulp them up. Antioxidants are therefore essentials ensuring that the body is rid of free radicals. Free radicals are dangerous in that they can bind with other molecules, causing damage because they can grow and become benign. Antioxidants present in Aloe Vera are Chromones, Aloetic acid, Anthrone-C-Glycosides, Barbaloin, Antraquionine, Aloin, Isobabarloin, Babarloin, Emodin, and Isoemodin.

Polysaccharides — Are long chains of glucose that the body can easily break down for energy. Typical one found in Aloe Vera is Glucomannan.

Saccharides — Are organic sugars, in the simple compound that the body can break down for energy. Examples of saccharides in aloe vera plants are Cellulose, Xylose, Mannose, Galactose, Arabinose, Acemannan.

Fatty-Acids — Are the building blocks of dietary fats, which are used to build muscles in the body. Any unused fats are stored in the body as fatty acids. Examples of fatty acids in Aloe Vera are Alpha-linoleic-Acid (LNA), Linoleic-Acid (LA), Beta-sitosterol cholesterol, campesterol and Lupeol.

Prostaglandins — Are secreted lipids when there is tissue damage. These lipids control blood clot, thereby preventing excessive bleeding. This is the chemical that is effective in wound healing property of aloe vera plant.

Amino-Acids — Are the remnants left behind when proteins are digested. Excess proteins are stored as amino-acids which are then converted back when the body requires it again. Aloe vera plants give you 20 of the human required 22 amino acids, and 7 out of the 8 essential amino acids.

Enzymes — Are biological molecules that are responsible for all the on-going process in the body, especially in, digestion and for metabolism. Typical enzymes found in Aloe Vera plants are Lipase, Peroxidase, Cellulase, Bradykinase, amylase, catalase, ltipase, Acid-Phosphatase, Alkaline-Phosphatase, Lactic-Dehydrogenase, and Liipase.

Health Effects Of Aloe Vera (With more than 3,500 PubMed Studies)

Aids Metabolism — As stated above, aloe vera contains adequate enzymes enough to aid the digestion and metabolism of food. Towards the end, aloe vera ingredients are used in laxative for those with digestion problem. Moreso, aloe vera is well tolerated without any side effect.

Aloe Vera is found to aid the gut microbiome, in making the minerals and vitamins easily available for ingestion (bioavailability of vitamins and minerals). Also good for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and diarrhoea because it helps stabilize the effect of gut bacteria in metabolism.

Oral Health — The stabilized gel (at the centre of Aloe Vera plant) can well be substituted for toothpaste to fight cavity, dental plaque and tooth decay. The gel contains anthraquinone compounds that fight oral bacteria like canker sores and mouth ulcers.

In a dental mouth rinse study of 100 people, those who substituted 100% pure aloe vera juice with the normal mouth rinse have less dental plaque.

Reduced Depression — In an animal study, the application of oral aloe vera gel enhances learning and memory and helps reduce depression in laboratory rats.

Heals wounds faster — A write up in Pakistani Medical Journal mentioned that application of aloe vera gel to second-degree burns help wounds to heal faster and better.

Helps skin after radiation therapy — In the journal of Radiation Oncology, it was reported that the patients treated for radiation have reduced incidences of skin side effects when treated with aloe vera gel. This is in comparison to other topical treatments.

Dietary Supplementation of oral aloe vera — is known to increase Collagen Production. A study of 30 women shows increased skin elasticity and reduced wrinkles. Long term use is considered not safe, as it can result in stomach cramps and diarrhoea due to its laxative effect.

Long term use has also been shown to cause liver damage in laboratory rats.

Helps stabilizes blood sugar level — in type 2, diabetics and prediabetes studies. Oral intake of aloe vera has long been used to control blood sugar in the past, because of the low glycemic effect (will not raise blood sugar) on blood sugar.

For anyone prone to skin burn, applying topical aloe vera skin cream or lotion before going out has been shown to help. This is because it can absorb ultra-violet light, by reducing melanin and hyperpigmentation in the skin.