10 Health Benefits of Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is also known as the wonder plant for its magical effects on your health. Its a short-stemmed shrub which occurs only in cultivation. The gel we get from the aloe vera plant is used for many things and has numerous benefits. Here is a list of some of them:
1. Detoxify yourself
If you want to detoxify your body aloe vera is the best natural way to do it. Its important to cleanse our system due to our polluted and stressful environment. The minerals, trace elements, and vitamins present in aloe vera gel help us deal with stress.
2. Improves digestion
Its important to keep your digestion system healthy for proper absorption of nutrients and minerals present in food. Aloe vera helps increase protein absorption and improves bowel regularity. It also helps eliminate the unfriendly yeast and bacteria found in our gut. Its also effective for easing digestion problems like heartburn.
3. May destroy cancerous tumors
The gel of aloe vera helps boost the immune system function and destroy cancerous tumors. A study published in International Immunopharmacology (1995) showed that aloe vera polysaccharides exhibit potent macrophage-activating activities including producing increased volumes of nitric oxide (which has antitumor potential).
4. Stabilizes blood sugar
The dried gel of aloe vera helps lower blood sugar. Its observed that diabetics who took aloe vera for 3 months experienced a drop in fasting blood sugar levels and improves total cholesterol. There have been several studies that show aloe vera’s anti-diabetic properties.
5. Collagen repair
Aloe vera is great for repairing collagen. The juice of aloe vera supplies raw material to your diet responsible for maintaining and producing healthy skin. As our skin changes every 28 days, the nutritional blocks of aloe vera help combat the effects of aging. Aloe vera also soothes minor burns, cuts, scrapes, and skin irritation.
6. Improves dental health
Aloe vera is useful for keeping the mouth and gums healthy. It’s anti-bacterial and anti-microbial actions promote cell growth and healing. There are several tooth gels available that contain pure aloe vera and help eliminate problems of bleeding gums and mouth ulcers.
7. Cardiovascular health
There have been several studies that show when aloe vera extract is injected into the blood, it increases oxygen transportation and diffusion capabilities of red blood cells. In 2000, a study concluded that aloe vera can help lower the risk of heart disease and high cholesterol as it enhances oxidation and circulation of blood. It also makes blood less sticky.
8. Weight loss
As aloe vera helps cleanse the digestive system, it has properties that can help fight the fatigue caused by our diet. It can make you feel better and help maintain body weight. Aloe vera can increase energy levels and keep you refreshed and active.
9. Relieves joint pain
This effect is related to external and internal use of aloe vera. Aloe is responsible for reduction in inflammation and to get rid of it. Avoid eating red meat, sugar, and fried foods as these are pro-inflammatory and it can’t be reduced with aloe alone. This will provide relief of joint and muscle pain.
10. Natural Moisturizer
Aloe vera has natural moisturizing properties that help maintaining moist skin. It helps keep skin hydrated and increases elasticity. It strengthens skin tissues and keeps your skin healthy and glowing. Its perfect for oily skin as it nourishes your skin without making it greasy. It releases natural vitamins and enzymes into skin which help maintain the pH balance of your skin. Aloe vera is a great natural remedy for burns and sunburns. It not only reduces the inflammation, but it also helps with itching and skin dryness.
Health Benefits of Aloe Vera
By Divya Shree
Edited by Stephanie Dawson
