A Healthy Guide on Aloe Vera Juice for Diabetes

Diabetes is a widespread medical condition with a considerably sizeable affected population. It causes the blood sugar levels of a person to rise above the ideal level. To manage sugar levels, a person with diabetes needs to pay special attention to what they eat. For example, they should categorically avoid a high carbohydrate diet because it is directly related to increasing blood sugar levels.

At the same time, to manage diabetes effectively, it is helpful to choose a nutritious diet. In addition, there are a few herbs and medicinal plants that you can consider including in your diet to manage it. One such medicinal plant is aloe vera. For centuries, people have been using aloe vera as a powerhouse of benefits. It is celebrating in Ayurveda and cures many illnesses.

Aloe Vera and Diabetes: A Healthy Relationship

Aloe vera can be helpful for people with diabetes. That is because regular intake of aloe vera juice can help improve blood glucose levels. Also, aloe vera has compounds like lectins, mannans and anthraquinones. These make it helpful for people with diabetes due to various reasons. For example, aloe vera juice decreases blood lipids that are fats in patients with high levels of these lipids. Furthermore, a randomised trial proves that aloe vera extracts improve glucose and lipid profile status.

Most patients with type 2 diabetes experience swelling and wounds in the legs. A study suggests that regular consumption of aloe vera juice fastens wounds’ healing process and reduces swelling. It is due to the anti-inflammatory properties of aloe vera. Also, it lowers haemoglobin A1c and depicts the 3-month average of the blood glucose in the haemoglobin present in the red blood cells of your body. It, in turn, supports positive glycemic control. In addition, since aloe vera lowers fasting blood glucose levels, it can reduce body fat and weight. 

The one factor that distinguishes the use of aloe vera for diabetes from other medicines is its very few side effects. Most people who use it can tolerate the aloe vera and have no adverse side effects. It is also a general fact that people with type 2 diabetes do not always require medications. Instead, dietary interventions improve their blood glucose levels due to various factors. 

Other Health Benefits of Aloe Vera

Other than being effective in diabetes, aloe vera has wide-ranging benefits. For example, regular consumption of aloe vera juice can relieve certain skin conditions and improve skin texture. In addition, improves digestion, dental and oral health. Following is a short note about each one of these:

Improves Skin Health

Aloe vera juice contains antioxidants. Research has shown that these antioxidants have anti-inflammatory properties that can help treat conditions like burns and wounds. These anti-inflammatory properties result from polyphenols, a group of antioxidant-rich plant compounds.

In addition, antioxidants also help in reducing oxidative stress. Reduction in oxidative stress prevents conditions like heart disease and some cancers.

Improves Skin Appearance

A study found that consuming aloe vera significantly improved collagen production. It also removes wrinkles in women of age above 40. Another study found that drinking aloe vera improved skin elasticity in men. However, you must note that aloe was the supplement and not precisely the use of aloe vera juice in these two studies. 

Improves Digestion

There has been some research that has shown that the laxatives in aloe vera can help relieve constipation. In addition, some research indicates that aloe vera syrup can help reduce symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Oral Health

There has been extensive research on the relationship between aloe vera and oral health. Aloe vera mouthwash helps reduce the pain experienced in oral mucositis. Its regular use can help reduce pain resulting from infection in the mouth. Some researches shows that aloe vera mouthwash can also help remove plaque and relieve the pain and swelling from surgery.

Healthy Recipes Using Aloe Vera

Aloe vera can prove to be very helpful for maintaining overall health. It is even more beneficial for people with diabetes to include it in their diet. Here are five fantastic and simple ways to include aloe vera in your diet and reap the health benefits that come with eating it.

Aloe Vera Tea

Aloe vera tea is a fantastic beverage to start your day. It is an excellent way to get the health benefits of aloe vera. To prepare aloe vera tea, you can use its pack.

Ingredients

• Water: 1 glass
• Aloe Vera Leaf: 1

Method

1. Boil water in a bowl. Transfer it to a cup. 
2. Cut the aloe vera leaf in half. Scrape out the aloe vera gel into the cup. 
3. Stir it well, and your aloe vera tea is ready to be served.

Aloe Vera Salad

You can enjoy aloe vera as a salad also. It is even more beneficial for overall health. 

Ingredients

• Strawberries, Guavas, Pomegranate, and Papaya: ¼ cup each
• Aloe Vera Leaf: 1
• Lemon Juice: 1 lemon

Method

1. Chop strawberries, guavas, pomegranate and papaya.
2. Cut the aloe vera leaf in half. Scrape out the aloe vera gel. 
3. Sprinkle some lemon juice on the salad to get a nice flavour. 

If you think that the salad is not sweet enough, you can add stevia. Avoid using sugar at all. If you are using honey, use that in moderation too.  

Aloe Vera Smoothie

An aloe vera smoothie is easy to make a beverage that can give immense health benefits if added to your diet. 

Ingredients

• Coconut Water: 100 ml
• Sliced Fruits (Kiwi, Apple, and Orange): ½ each
• Aloe Vera Leaf: 1

Method

1. Put some kiwis, pineapple, oranges and finely chopped aloe vera leaf in a blender. Try to use frozen fruits instead of fresh ones for better flavour. 
2. Add coconut water to it. 
3. Blend all the ingredients.
4. Garnish it with grated almonds and split cashews.

 Aloe vera smoothie is ready to be served.  

Aloe Vera Juice: Possible Side Effects and Precautions

Stomach Issues

Aloe vera consists of latex. Consuming it in excess may cause problems like irritation and cramps in the stomach. Overconsumption of aloe vera can also cause potassium levels to dip. In addition, it causes irregular heartbeat, weakness and fatigue. Latex is safe when applied externally but can be dangerous if consumed excessively. 

Dehydration

Laxatives present in aloe vera may help relieve constipation. However, they may cause dehydration if taken in excess. The body further responds to it by storing more water and causing bloating.

Issues During Pregnancy

Aloe vera juice is not suitable for lactating and pregnant women. It is because aloe vera juice if consumed in excess, can cause uterine contractions in pregnant women, which can cause complications in childbirth. 

Skin Allergies

Aloe vera is the best natural treatment for skin infections. However, in the case of sensitive skin, the latex on aloe vera gel may well be the cause of skin rashes, burning sensations and irritation. So one should exercise caution before using aloe vera on the skin. 

Conclusion

Aloe vera is a medicinal plant used to treat ailments for centuries. It can be beneficial in diabetes as well. Adding aloe vera to your diet and consuming it can go a long way in helping you deal with diabetes. The key is moderation. One should drink aloe vera juice, not more than 100mL per day. The consumption of aloe vera can cause side effects like hypoglycemia, itching and burning of the skin, and stomach pain and cramps.

It can also lead to low potassium, diarrhoea, and liver problems in extreme cases. However, if consumed in moderation, aloe vera can have wide-ranging health benefits like skin benefits, easy digestion and improved oral health.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. Is it OK to drink aloe vera juice every day?

A. Yes, it is OK to drink aloe vera juice every day. The benefits of aloe vera juice are wide-ranging. It is proven to cure various digestive disorders. It is also helpful in boosting appetite and keeping weight gain in check. However, it will help if you limit the daily consumption of aloe vera juice to 100ML.  

Q. Can aloe vera reverse diabetes?

A. Yes, aloe vera helps to stimulate the secretion of insulin, which is particularly useful for people suffering from diabetes. Besides reversing diabetes, eating aloe vera and aloe vera supplements has other health benefits like weight loss, relieving constipation, and preventing acidity and gas.  

Q. Is aloe vera good for diabetes patients?

A. Aloe vera can help cure diabetes. It has about 75 active enzymes, including vitamins, enzymes, sugars, lignin, minerals and acids like amino acids and salicylic acids. Eating aloe vera has been shown to decrease blood lipid levels, found in people with type 2 diabetes. In addition, leg wounds and ulcers are common problems in people with diabetes, and aloe vera has led to more rapid recovery.  

Q. When should I drink aloe vera in the morning or night?

A. It is better to drink aloe vera on an empty stomach in the morning. It is also better to drink it 20 minutes before a meal. Aloe vera juice is highly nutritious as it has about 75 active enzymes. So drinking aloe vera juice in the morning can provide you with the necessary energy for the day.  

Q. Can I boil aloe vera and drink?

A. Yes, you can boil aloe vera and drink it. Just make sure that you are not using too much water because it will dilute the juice and not benefit you. Instead, boil aloe vera for 10 minutes and rinse it twice with cold water. It will prevent it from becoming too slimy. 

Q. What are the side effects of aloe vera?

A. Aloe vera can have some side effects. For example, consuming it too much can cause redness and skin irritation. On the other hand, oral aloe vera has laxative effects, which can even cause blood sugar levels to drop below the desirable levels. In addition, the components found in it may undesirably interact with your medicines if you take a lot of them.  

Q. Can I eat aloe vera raw?

A. Yes, raw aloe vera is healthy and safe to eat. However, it may not sound intuitive because of its unappealing smell. Just wash the leaf and the gel thoroughly before consuming it raw, as it will clean the laxative layer on aloe vera, which is unpleasant. Besides reversing diabetes, eating natural aloe vera has other health benefits like weight loss, relieving constipation, and preventing acidity and gas.   

Q. Can I drink aloe vera juice on an empty stomach?

A. You should ideally consume aloe vera juice on an empty stomach in the morning. Following are the reasons why you should eat aloe vera empty stomach. First, Aloe vera juice is highly nutritious. It has about 75 active enzymes and can provide you with the necessary energy for the day. Also, the stomach is inactive in the morning, which will enhance digestion. 

Q. Is eating raw aloe vera good for you?

A. Eating raw aloe vera is very healthy as it is a rich source of antioxidants. These antioxidants fight free radicals, which reduce oxidative stress on your body. It, in turn, reduces fatal conditions like heart disease, liver damage and diabetes. It is also essential for eye health and enhances vision and corneal function.