Aloe for Gut Health: Does it Work?

by | May 3, 2023

aloe for gut health

 

 

 

Aloe for Gut Health

 

Many people use aloe vera for their skin and hair, and herbalists emphasize its benefits for clear, shiny, and flawless skin. Many skincare products receive attention because they have aloe vera on the ingredient list. However, aloe vera contains remarkable advantages for your internal body health, too [1]. It is a powerful healing agent for your gut. Aloe vera juice has been in use for decades to relieve stomach pain and gut inflammation, and its cooling effect can cool down your disturbed gut and comfort you while providing energy. 

 

 

Gut Benefits of Aloe

 

Aloe vera juice may be good for digestion

 

Aloe vera improves digestion by treating constipation and increasing metabolic rate. Due to its high fiber content, it keeps our body from dehydration and helps with constipation. Aloe vera supports digestion by keeping gut bacteria in balance and providing prebiotic fiber [2,3]. These balanced gut bacteria enhance the process of digestion and ensure the optimal release of enzymes and other beneficial compounds.

 

 

Aloe may relieve heartburn

 

Some preliminary research suggests that aloe vera syrup could help treat and reduce the symptoms of heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Specifically, initial studies indicate that the anti-inflammatory and healing properties of aloe vera may provide relief for individuals with these conditions.

 

 

Aloe vera juice may help prevent ulcers [4,5].

 

Aloe vera juice has significant cooling effects, and it decreases gut and stomach inflammation. In addition to these benefits, aloe vera juice helps in treating many problems related to acidity like ulcers and heartburn.

 

 

Aloe vera can help with leaky gut

 

Research on mice has shown that aloe vera can help improve the gastrointestinal tight junction, which plays a significant role in the function of the intestinal barrier. Additionally, the treatment resulted in progress by using aloe vera juice. Furthermore, aloe vera healed leaky gut in mice by decreasing the lactulose/mannitol ratio. For more about leaky gut, read our article that outlines what happens to the body with leaky gut syndrome.

 

 

Both aloe gel and aloe juice are obtained from the same plant and are equally organic and beneficial. However, the most significant difference is that the gel has a fibrous consistency, and the juice is a thick, goopy liquid. If you’re looking to benefit from drinking pure aloe juice, it’s worth noting that it can be found in most health food stores. However, if you can’t bear the taste, you can use supplements that are pure aloe. Nevertheless, it’s important to remember that while it’s possible that aloe vera may have digestive benefits, there may not yet be enough research indicating the safety or dosage of its use for these purposes. Therefore, it is advisable to consult your doctor before starting to use aloe vera on a regular basis.

 

 

 

 

References

 

  1. [1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92765/
  2. [2] Jiang, M., Deng, K., Jiang, C., Fu, M., Guo, C., Wang, X., Wang, X., Meng, F., Yang, S., Deng, K., Chen, T., & Xin, H. (2016). Evaluation of the Antioxidative, Antibacterial, and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of the Aloe Fermentation Supernatant Containing Lactobacillus plantarum HM218749.1. Mediators of Inflammation, 2016. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/2945650
  3. [3] Gullón, B., Gullón, P., Tavaria, F.K., Alonso, J.L., & Pintado, M.E. (2015). In vitro assessment of the prebiotic potential of Aloe vera mucilage and its impact on the human microbiota. Food & function, 6:2, 525-31. https://doi.org/10.1039/c4fo00857j
  4. [4] Kumari, C.S., Prasad, C., & Ramulu, J.S. (2010). DETERMINATION OF IN-VITRO AND IN-VIVO ACTIVITIES OF ALOE VERA. L AGAINST H. PYLORI. International journal of pharma and bio sciences, 1.
  5. [5] Yusuf, S., Agunu, A., & Diana, M. (2004). The effect of Aloe vera A. Berger (Liliaceae) on gastric acid secretion and acute gastric mucosal injury in rats. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 93:1, 33-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2004.03.027
  6. https://www.pulseandremedy.com/aloe
  7. https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/aloe-vera-juice-benefits#4.-May-help-with-digestive-issues
  8. https://www.wellandgood.com/aloe-vera-juice-benefits/