11/27 Drink It Up-Aloe Vera Juice
Since I have been working at Trader Joe’s I have come to realize that many people are consuming Aloe Vera juice as a health tonic. It is a popular item at the Joe’s and it has piqued my curiosity. I have to be honest, I did not think that people ingested it. I thought it was only used topically to treat boo boos and sun burns. It stands to reason that if it miraculously cures cuts and burns, that it would be magical if ingested. Evidently that is the case.
I bought a biggie jug of Aloe Vera juice and we have been drinking 2-3oz a day mixed in with cranberry and orange juice. It isn’t very tasty on its own, it tastes kind of medicinal like a melted vitamin C tablet. It is slightly metallic and bitter, but much more palatable than Apple Cider vinegar, which I gave up on. Combined in fruit juice, the Aloe Vera is much less noticeable and can be consumed without too many heroics.
Some of the benefits I have read about include:
Improved circulation, regulation of blood pressure, healing of bones and joints, strengthening of the immune system, defense of the body against bacteria, healing internal tissue damage and ulcers, improves and even eliminates constipation and aids in blood sugar regulation.
I have also read that it is very helpful in weight loss and management.
I can’t honestly verify or attest to any of these. What I can tell you is that it is inexpensive, easy to drink (when mixed with other juice) and quite possibly doing all of these things for my health. I have felt wonderful despite extreme changes in weather, extreme changes in my physical activity and late hours of working way harder than I am used to. That is good enough for me to continue to drink it. I have found that the healthier I believe I am…the healthier I am. Because I now drink the Aloe Vera everyday I know that I am healthy and immune to all viruses and whatever creeping crud Du Jour everyone around me is convinced they are coming down with. We never succumb to that and that makes me happy. Whether it is the Aloe or the veganism or the positive thinking…I’m not sure. But for now, I will continue to swig the Aloe everyday. If you have Aloe tales, please share and comment to win in theTwelve Days of Vegan Joy Giveaway. Enter to win by commenting on today’s post or sending me an email saying Hey, I want to win! to: Sherry@ExploitsOfaVeganWannabe.com and you will start racking up chances to win Dec 1-12. Please tell your pals about the Exploits blog and the daily giveaways so we can have more Compassionate Consumers to hang out with.
Aloe Vera juice info from American Chronicle
Have a delicious. day.
Tags: aloe vera, aloe vera juice, apple cider vinegar, compassionate eating, compassionate products, dairy free, going veg, trader joes, trying vegan, trying vegetarian, vegan challenge, vegan experience, weight loss
November 26th, 2010 at 10:10 pm
Aloe Vera Juice is great for heartburn, ulcers, upset stomach and tons of other things. It even helps dogs with heartburn and indigestion. I am not a fan of the taste either, but there were times that I had to drink a glass a day and it helped me a lot. I have also used it on my skin instead of aloe vera gel, on sunburn and cuts and scrapes.
November 27th, 2010 at 5:14 am
They sell these sugared aloe vera drinks and desserts at asian grocery shops, love them both, but they’re probably processed to death.
November 27th, 2010 at 5:38 am
I don’t have acces to reasonably priced aloe vera juice here so I’ve never tried it. But anyways, you’re so right about how believing you’re healthy actually promotes feeling healthy!
November 27th, 2010 at 4:36 pm
Thanks for all the info about Aloe Vera Juice! I’ve only ever used aloe on sunburns before, so this was very interesting!
November 27th, 2010 at 8:58 pm
Interesting, I’ve never even heard of aloe vera juice!
November 29th, 2010 at 3:08 am
I have seen aloe vera sold as a drink before but never tried it…seems like it would taste bitter?
November 29th, 2010 at 9:11 am
I give it to the kids when they are having tummy problems.
November 29th, 2010 at 1:09 pm
maybe mix it with pomegranate juice? or in a smoothie?
November 29th, 2010 at 11:33 pm
Thank you for sharing Jennifer. Do you use raw aloe juice or do you mix it with something to make it more palatable? It tastes kind of yucky.
November 29th, 2010 at 11:35 pm
Momo,
It is kind of medicinal tasting but honestly…I have had a very acidic tummy for two days and it completely took care of it so I am in the very least temporarily hooked.
November 30th, 2010 at 1:37 pm
Sometimes we will drink it straight up but usually mixed with apple juice.
November 30th, 2010 at 1:59 pm
I have never tasted aloe juice, but when I was a child, my parents always used (well, still do!) fresh aloe vera plant on small burn wounds – it works miracles. 😉
November 30th, 2010 at 6:41 pm
I love Aloe juice straight up. I love the taste (ok, I also love the taste of wheatgrass juice, and people have looked at me kinda sideways when I tell them that). They both taste so fresh and healthy.