If you keep tabs on trendy "health drinks," then you've probably heard of aloe vera juice. But even if you've heard people singing the praises of the drink, you might still be curious if any of the supposed benefits of aloe vera juice — weight loss, digestion assistance, or immune support, for example — are real or just a myth.
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00:00 My name is Kayla Jeter, and if there's one thing I've learned from being a fitness coach,
00:04 it's that everyone's wellness process and goals are different.
00:07 So no matter where you are in your fitness journey, we wanted to provide you with some
00:11 info that can help you along the way.
00:17 Aloe Vera may be a pretty addition to your plant collection, but it has quite a few potential
00:22 health perks too.
00:24 Its juice can be applied topically to soothe irritated skin, or you can actually drink
00:29 the juice to receive certain health benefits.
00:32 Here today to help us learn more about the benefits of aloe vera juice and water is registered
00:36 dietitian Bridget Zaitlin.
00:39 Thanks Kayla.
00:40 Though more research definitely needs to be done on the benefits of aloe juice or water,
00:45 there are some general findings that you can consider if you want to start adding aloe
00:49 vera juice into your routine.
00:51 The gel of the aloe vera plant has been used to treat burns and skin conditions such as
00:56 psoriasis, abrasions, or eczema, so what you want to do is just snip the bit of the plant
01:02 and squeeze the juice directly onto your aggravated skin area and voila!
01:06 You have an all natural salve to soothe your skin.
01:09 When you're craving a refreshing drink with a hint of flavor, aloe vera water is water
01:14 blended with the juice from the aloe vera plant.
01:17 This hydrating blend will help you hit your water goals with a little bit more taste and
01:21 flavor.
01:22 You can even make it yourself.
01:23 But if you're buying it at the store, be careful.
01:26 Most pre-made aloe waters contain a lot of sugar, so what I suggest to all of my clients
01:31 is to water it down by taking 2 tablespoons of the aloe vera water that you bought and
01:36 mix it into 8 or 16 ounces of plain water.
01:40 You'll get the flavor and the benefit without that unnecessary sugar.
01:45 Slathering aloe vera juice on your face doesn't replace a facial, but you may notice brighter
01:51 skin and reduced dark spots because aloe vera juice contains potassium, vitamin C, and antioxidants,
01:59 all of which are really great for the skin.
02:01 Vitamin C, for example, can protect your skin from damage caused by free radicals and it
02:07 can help brighten and even out your skin tone.
02:10 For those who might have ulcerative colitis, a type of inflammatory bowel disease, studies
02:14 have actually linked drinking aloe vera gel in water to helping ease ulcerative colitis
02:19 flares by reducing inflammation, ulcers, and tissue damage.
02:24 Translation, this means you might experience fewer stomach pains with some smoother digestion.
02:30 And if you're wondering how to add aloe vera into your regular routine, you can use aloe
02:34 vera juice in your smoothies, you can freeze it in your ice trays to add to your drinks,
02:39 and even your cocktails.
02:40 The biggest thing to note, though, about aloe vera is that it may actually act as a laxative
02:44 too, so you want to be careful that you don't consume too much.
02:48 And always check with your doctor or dietitian to see what is a really good plan for you.
02:53 Thanks, Bridget!
02:54 Want some more tips?
02:55 Head on over to Shape.com and learn more about Good Eats and more.
02:59 See you next time!
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