The potential benefits of aloe vera juice are far from a modern discovery - in fact, its benefits were first recorded a mere 4000 years ago! The aloe vera plant has long been part of traditional medicine and even though current research is still limited as to the potentials of aloe vera juice, it seems that it could help provide relief from some digestive discomforts.
In this article we consider what to look for when choosing the best aloe vera juice as well as some of the possible benefits of aloe. We also look in detail at risks associated with the latex which occurs naturally in aloe vera and why it is important to buy de-colorized rather than colorized aloe vera juice.Best Pick
The Lily of the Desert aloe vera juice (whole leaf) containing over 99% organic juice is our International Aloe Science Council approved best pick.
Budget Pick
The ALO Exposed aloe vera juice drink with honey is our free from artificial additives and Non-GMO Project Verified budget pick aloe vera juice.
Quick Comparison: Top 10 Best Aloe Vera Juice
1. Lily of the Desert Aloe Vera Juice
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The filtered Lily of the Desert aloe vera juice (whole leaf) is produced from mature aloe vera plants grown organically and chemical-free in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas and Mexico. After harvesting, the leaves are refrigerated and then inspected and processed. Each batch of this whole leaf aloe vera juice is tested and it is certified by the International Aloe Science Council (IASC) for its verified aloe content.
Coming as a twin pack of 32 fl. oz bottles which are certified kosher, this juice does contain preservatives and although it contains over 99% organic aloe vera juice it is not currently certified as USDA organic.Pros
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2. ALO Exposed Aloe Vera Juice Drink with Honey
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Coming as a case of 12 16.9 fl. oz bottles, the ALO Exposed aloe vera juice drink with honey is made with natural aloe vera juice and pulp harvested from an organic farm. Although this is not currently certified organic, it is Non-GMO Project Verified.
This does not contain any artificial preservatives, colors or flavors. Some buyers have not been as keen on the pulp in this and as it is sweetened with cane sugar this increases its total sugar content to 15 grams per serving.Pros
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3. Lily of the Desert Inner Fillet Aloe Vera Juice
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Sourced from organic aloe vera growing in the Rio Grande Valley, the Lily of the Desert aloe vera juice (inner fillet) comes as a 32 fl. oz plastic bottle. This juice also contains Aloesorb, a patented process to isolate the particular aloe polysaccharides which have the most impact on the natural benefits of aloe.
This means that the body can absorb the nutrients better by as much as 2000%. This juice is also certified kosher. This juice does contain preservatives and also carrageenan, both of which some buyers prefer to avoid. Some also consider that the taste of this is not the most pleasant compared with other aloe vera juices.
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4. George’s Aloe Vera Supplement
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Fractionally distilled from aloe leaves, George’s aloe vera supplement is a pure aloe vera juice which does not contain any preservatives or additives. Some consider this lacks aloe flavor, although its processing has left this juice as advertised; with no bitterness. This juice comes as a large 128 fl. oz (one gallon) container which can be more difficult to refrigerate after opening. This is a calorie free drink.
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5. Aloe Life - Whole Leaf Aloe Vera Juice Concentrate
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The Aloe Live whole leaf aloe vera juice concentrate (cherry berry) is made with organic certified aloe leaves. This juice contains no water and has not been ultra-pasteurized to protect the active components of the aloe vera. It has also been third party tested. It also contains natural cranberry and cherry flavors along with fructose and preservatives.
Coming as a 32 fl. oz BPA free plastic bottle, some buyers have not been keen on the taste of this whether drank as a concentrate or diluted and some consider that the aftertaste is a little strong on this.Pros
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6. Miracle of Aloe Real Aloe Juice
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Made from organically grown mature aloe vera plants in south Texas, the Miracle of Aloe real aloe juice has been filtered. Some buyers are not as keen on the taste of this compared to other juices and this does contain citric acid and potassium sorbate. It comes as a 32 fl. oz carton which can be a little awkward to pour from.
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7. AloeCure Pure Aloe Vera Juice
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Made with 98.7% inner gel aloe vera, the AloeCure pure aloe extract (grape flavor) is certified organic by ECOCERT. A 2 fl. oz serving of this twice a day may provide day and night relief from acid overproduction. The purity of the aloe in this juice is also certified by the International Aloe Science Council (IASC).
This comes as a 16.7 fl. oz bottle which will last around one month when used daily, although this is more expensive than other aloe vera juices. This juice also contains preservatives and stevia as a sweetener.
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8. Lakewood, Organic Aloe Vera Juice
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The cold pressed Lakewood Organic pure aloe is certified USDA organic and is free from any preservatives and GMOs. This juice is free from sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate, instead it is made with 99% aloe vera juice and 1% lemon juice and can be drank as is or diluted.
This 32 fl. oz bottle is best used within two weeks of opening and as a glass bottle there is more risk of breakage during shipping. Some buyers would also prefer that this contained pulp or pieces of inner leaf in it.Pros
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9. OKF Farmer’s Aloe Vera Drink
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The OKF Farmer’s aloe vera drink (variety pack) comes 10 bottles of pineapple, mango, watermelon, strawberry and pomegranate flavors. These kosher drinks contain 25% aloe from aloe juice and pulp alongside natural and artificial flavors. These also contain sugar and artificial sweetener, and some consider these are too sweet and can have an aftertaste.
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10. Real Aloe Vera Super Juice
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Organically grown in California, the Real Aloe Super Juice is a blend of 90% aloe vera juice along with natural and concentrated cranberry, pomegranate, black cherry, white and concord grape juices. This is manufactured from the inner fillet of the aloe leaf.
This juice comes as a 32 fl. oz plastic bottle and although free from thickeners, it does contain preservative. Some have found this to taste a little too sweet and as a pulp-free juice, this may not suit all drinkers.Pros
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Things to Consider Before Buying Aloe Vera Juice
The Aloe vera plant grows in tropical climates and is just one plant from 400 species of Aloe, a member of the succulent Liliaceae family. Succulents have shallow and complex root systems to absorb water quickly and store it over time. They are generally hardy and can self-repair damage to their leaves by using the internal gel. Aloe vera now has to be cultivated as it no longer grows in the wild.
The name aloe vera comes from ‘alloeh’, the Arabic word for shining, bitter substance and ‘vera’ meaning true in Latin. Known as the ‘wonder plant’, ‘lily of the desert’ ‘burn plant’ and many other names, reference to the benefits of aloe vera first appeared on a Mesopotamian tablet around 4000 years ago, and 3500 years ago, the Ancient Egyptians were documenting how to use aloe vera for internal and symptoms.
Aloe vera juice is extracted by grinding or crushing the leaf of mature aloe vera plants and this extract is filtered and purified in various ways.
When choosing an aloe vera juice for maximum potency, an organic, cold pressed, unpasteurized and unfiltered aloe vera juice is best, although this can be difficult to source and much more expensive. However, do look for one which is purified, safety tested and decolorized to reduce the risk of side effects. Some juices are also certified by the International Aloe Science Council (IASC).
Do look at the percentage of aloe vera juice; those containing over 99% aloe vera juice will provide more benefits. Also consider what has been added to the juice, such as flavors, artificial preservatives or thickeners.
The shelf life of aloe vera juice should be no more than four weeks, even in the refrigerator, as after this time, mold spores will begin to grow. Those which have a longer shelf life will contain some form of preservative to lengthen the shelf life.
Aloe vera does have a tart and slightly bitter flavor although those which are whole leaf will be considerably more bitter. It should be pale and light in color and if unfiltered will contain clumpy bits of aloe gel in the bottle.
Aloe vera juice in a glass bottle is usually best, but if in plastic, then look for BPA free plastics. Juice will often be in a darker colored glass or plastic to protect the aloe juice from light, heat and oxidation.
Follow the manufacturer’s or your healthcare provider’s recommendation for dosage - a typical dose is between two to five tablespoons per day. A dose early morning before food can help support bowel functions, but it is important to try a small amount at first to minimize the risk of side effects.
Aloe vera juice can drank as is, diluted with water, other juices or mixed into smoothies. Aloe vera contains vitamins B12, C, E and folic acid as well as minerals such as calcium, chromium, copper, selenium, magnesium, potassium and zinc. Pure aloe vera juice is very low in calories and naturally sugar free.
Aloe Latex and Aloin
Some aloe juices are made with the inner part of the leaf known as the inner fillet. This contains the gel-like portion of the leaf and a higher concentration of high molecular weight polysaccharides.
Juices extracted from the whole leaf have a different consistency but exactly the same benefits as inner fillet. When juice is extracted from whole leaf, its aloin content is filtered down to a level of one part per million (ppm). This is because whole leaf contains a yellowish sap or latex covering on the interior surface of the leaf’s rind and it is this latex coating which contains aloin.
It is aloin which acts as a natural laxative and although removal of aloin from aloe vera can be controversial, the risks of consuming aloin far outweigh any potential benefits. Aloin can cause overstimulation of the bowels, severe diarrhea, electrolyte imbalance, abdominal cramps and considerable weight loss.
For this reason, aloin has been banned from commercial aloe products since the FDA issued a ruling that aloin laxatives were no longer ‘Generally Recognized As Safe’ in 2002. Neither is aloin available in over-the-counter products.
Those with latex sensitivities or allergies should avoid whole leaf juice unless confirmed that the latex is removed. Just one gram of aloe latex per day may cause kidney failure and even death even to those who do not have a latex sensitivity. For this reason, whole leaf aloe vera juice is best avoided for consuming unless certified that the latex has been removed through processing.
Children under the age of 12 should never be given whole leaf extract or any other source of aloe latex.
Side Effects of Aloe Vera Supplementation
A whole leaf aloe vera which is de-colorized (low anthraquinone and purified) is considered safe while a colored and un-purified juice can cause side effects such as diarrhea and cramping – probably due to the presence of anthraquinone in the juice. Non de-colorized juice was also shown to increase the risk of cancer in laboratory animal studies.
Aloe vera is currently regulated as a dietary supplement by the FDA.
Although anthraquinone is found naturally in aloe leaves, it should be avoided as it is considered toxic.
Aloe vera juice can increase the side effects of sevoflurane and cause excessive bleeding during surgery and it can interact with medicines which are substrates of Cytochrome P450 3A4 and CYP2D6 so if you take these you should avoid aloe vera juice.
Apart from digestive discomfort, aloe vera can also cause electrolyte imbalances which is why aloe vera juice should always be drunk in moderation and if symptoms occur – stop taking it.
Aloe Vera, Constipation, Heartburn and Digestion
The unique type of sugar called Acemannan in aloe vera is thought to be responsible for relieving gastrointestinal symptoms.
Aloe vera may be beneficial for those who suffer with occasional constipation, although the FDA has not established that aloe vera is safe to use for this purpose. Aloe vera does increase water content in the intestines which can help stool pass normally.
It may also provide some relief for heartburn as it can help control the secretion of acid in the stomach and contains enzymes which can help break down fats and sugars to aid normal digestion. It has also been linked with decreasing irritation in the stomach and intestines and may help with inflammatory disorders of the intestines such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). One 2013 study found aloe vera juice helped relieve pain and discomfort of IBS in 33 people.
Other Potential Benefits of Aloe Vera
Aloe vera also appears to have anti-microbial actions, probably from its polysaccharides. Aloe vera contains four fatty acids which have antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving components. In one small study it was shown to relieve the symptoms of gum inflammation in those who had undergone plaque-removal treatment.
It may also be of some benefit in helping control blood sugar levels in pre-diabetics and those with type 2 diabetes as aloe vera was shown to improve fasting blood sugar levels.
Conclusion
In this article we have found there is some positive evidence suggesting it may be of some benefit for certain digestive problems, although the FDA has yet to recognize aloe vera as safe to use for these. We have considered the side effects from drinking aloe vera juice as well as which individuals should not drink certain types of aloe vera juice or consume any aloe at all.
We trust that you have found this article interesting and that the information it contains has helped you to choose the best aloe vera juice, whether to add to a healthy smoothie for a refreshing nutrient boost, or to potentially ease some digestive discomforts.
Regarding AloeCure Pure Aloe Vera Juice 16.7 oz. If the daily dose is 4 oz, then the 16.7 oz bottle is a four (4) day supply, not a month’s supply. To take the 2 oz twice a day for a month, you’d need 8 bottles.