This Aloe Vera Smoothie is packed with all the benefits of aloe vera in one healthy drink. It’ll keep your skin hydrated and will also boost your immunity!

 

We all know the amazing hair and skin benefits of aloe vera.

From healing sunburns and moisturising skin to replenishing split ends, it makes for an excellent drink to add to your diet.

I know you’re probably wondering if you can actually eat aloe vera to reap its benefits?

The answer is a resounding yes! 

The best way to consume aloe vera is to follow our savoury aloe vera smoothie recipe. 

 

What’s Aloe Vera?

Alive vera is also known as the “wonder plant” and for all the right reasons.

It’s a short-stemmed shrub that’s famous for its gel found in its leaves. It grows in tropical climates and has been used as a medicinal plant. 

Aloe vera gel is a thick gooey liquid that’s extracted from its leaves. 

This gel is used in a range of products such as cosmetics, herbal remedies, suntan lotion, soap, moisturizers and food. 

However, it’s most commonly used to soothe sunburns.

 

Eating Aloe Vera

It might come as a surprise but aloe vera is perfectly edible.

It has a strong smell which some people might find repulsive. 

This is why the best way to add it to your diet is to consume it as a smoothie. 

This way, you blend it really well with all your favourite ingredients to take advantage of all its benefits!

You can also eat the gel raw after removing it from the skin but I suggest you add it to your smoothie.

 

Health Benefits of Aloe Vera

Here are seven reasons why you should drink aloe vera smoothie.

 

#1. Beauty benefits

Aloe vera is packed with vitamins C and A, antioxidants and enzymes which can combat a number of problems such as dry skin, burns and acne. 

Additionally, it helps reduce skin conditions such as dermatitis and psoriasis. 

Important compounds present in aloe vera neutralize the effects of UV radiation, repairs your skin from UV damage and prevents wrinkles and fine lines.

It’s also known to prevent hair loss. 

 

#2. Digestive Benefits

It helps break down fats and sugar and therefore, helps your digestion run smoothly.

When your digestive system doesn’t work properly, it fails to absorb all the nutrients from the food you eat.

You need to keep your internal engine healthy in order to take advantage of the food you’re eating. 

Aloe vera helps decrease irritation in the intestines and stomach.

This smoothie might also help you if you have irritable bowel syndrome or any other inflammatory disorder of the intestine. 

 

#3. Heartburn Relief

Evidence indicates that consuming aloe vera gives you relief when heartburn attacks. 

Compounds found in aloe vera that help control the secretion of acid in the stomach. 

Additionally, it also helps combat gastric ulcers and keeps them from getting larger.

 

#4. Nutritious Boost

Consuming our aloe vera smoothie is a smart way to ensure that you don’t get nutrient deficient. It’s full of minerals and vitamins such as E, C, B and folic acid. 

Additionally, it contains a small amount of:

• Zinc
• Manganese
• Potassium
• Magnesium
• Selenium
• Sodium
• Chromium
• Copper
• Calcium

It’s also an excellent source of vitamin B-12. This is fabulous news if you’re a vegan or a vegetarian.

 

#5. For Constipation

Consuming aloe vera smoothie helps increase the water content in your intestines which helps you pass stools normally. 

If you frequently find yourself constipated, incorporate aloe vera smoothie into your daily routine. 

Aloe vera normalizes the healthy bacteria in your gut and keeps the intestinal flow balanced.

 

#6. Liver Function

The key to detoxing is having a healthy liver.

Aloe vera smoothie helps keep your liver healthy by providing adequate hydration and nourishment as it’s rich in phytonutrients. 

 

#7. Hydration

Since the aloe vera plant is water-dense, it’s a great way to treat and prevent dehydration. 

Being hydrated is crucial in order to help your body flush out impurities.

The smoothie also packs a punch of nutrients that optimise your body’s organ output.

This is important because your liver and kidneys and responsible for detoxifying.

 

Where Can Aloe Vera Be Found?

Aloe vera can commonly be found throughout India.

The best way to get aloe vera is to plant a few in your balcony or kitchen garden.

If not, you can always source some from the nearest farmer’s market.

Aloe vera gel can be bought from any natural grocery store near you.

If you already grow aloe vera then the best way to extract the gel is by cutting the leaf to split it open and scooping the gel filet. 

Be sure to avoid the yellow latex part when scoping out the gel.

If you want to avoid all the hassle you can directly head to the nearest health food store and purchase aloe vera gel.  

Ensure that it’s organic and natural. 

 

Aloe Vera Smoothie Vs Juice: What’s The Difference?

To start with, the ingredients used in both a smoothie or a juice as made using real fruits and vegetables instead of powders, syrups and purees (when made on the spot). 

The key difference between juicing and smoothies lies in the production method.

Juices are pressed i.e. the pulp of the fruits and vegetables are separated from the juice.

It generally means “no pieces” in the drink which also removes all the fiber.

On the contrary, smoothies are made by blending all the ingredients.

Here, the whole pieces of vegetables and fruits are added to the blender which helps retain all the fiber.

 

Aloe Vera Smoothie Recipe

 

Serves: 1    Time required: 5 minutes

 

Ingredients:

150 ml of water, ½ lime or juice of 1 kaffir lime, 1 creamy and ripe banana (cut into bite-sized pieces), 100-150 g cucumber (washed but not peeled), 50 g baby spinach leaves, 100 g frozen grapes (green), ¼ avocado, 70 g fresh aloe vera gel

 

Directions:

Cut and scoop out the pulp of the avocado. Keep aside. Thoroughly wash the spinach leaves and cucumber under running water to remove all impurities. Add all the ingredients to a blender and blend for 3-4 minutes or until well combined and smooth. Taste the smoothie and adjust the consistency by adding more water if required. Pour the smoothie into a mason jar or tall glass. Add a lemon ring for garnish, if desired. Enjoy this cold smoothie or store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.

 

Notes:

Nutrition:

Please keep in mind that the nutrition mentioned here is an estimate based on an online nutritional calculator. It may vary depending on the ingredients you use.

 

Substitutes:

For the best results, I recommend following this recipe as it is. However, it’s a very diverse recipe so feel free to switch or add any ingredients you like. You can add maple syrup or honey to make it sweeter. 

 

Storage:

You can store any leftover in a mason jar or any jar with a lid. Though it will easily last for 24 hours, I recommend consuming it immediately to reap the maximum benefits of the smoothie. If not, stir the smoothie using a fork or a spoon to mix everything together when you consume it later.

 

Tips to Make This Aloe Vera Smoothie Recipe

Buying aloe vera

You can purchase it from your local grocery store. Most stores now sell fresh leaves at the produce section for an affordable price.

 

Use frozen fruits instead of fresh

I recommend using frozen fruits as they give the smoothie a creamy texture. The best part about using frozen fruits is that you don’t need ice to dilute the drink.

 

Consume immediately

Sure, you can store it for up to 24 hours but the ingredients begin to lose their nutrients when kept for a longer period of time. This is why you should drink the smoothie as soon as it’s made. 

 

Blend well

Let your blender run for 2-3 minutes at least to ensure that there are no lumps.

 

Nutritional Value of Aloe Vera Smoothie 

Servings: 1

Serving size: 1 glass

 

Calories	308
Total fat	10.5 g
Cholesterol	0 mg
Sodium	75 mg
Total carbohydrate	55.9 g
Protein	5 g
Calcium	104 mg
Iron	2 mg
Potassium	1285 mg

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 

Can you put aloe vera in smoothies?

YES! Just scoop out the aloe gel from its leaves and add it to your favourite smoothies.

 

Is it safe to drink raw aloe vera?

Aloe vera is generally used to treat skin problems such as acne. However, it’s completely safe to drink raw aloe vera if proper instructions are followed. Aloe vera has a refreshing, clean taste and can be added to a range of recipes such as salsas and smoothies among other things.

 

Is it good to drink aloe vera juice everyday?

It is good to drink aloe vera juice everyday. Here are a few reasons why you should drink aloe vera juice everyday:

• Alkalizes and detoxes your body
• Strengthens your immune system
• Reduces high cholesterol
• Fights inflammation
• Lowers digestive tract irritation
• Reduces constipation
• Stabilises blood sugar 
• Packed with antioxidants
• Increases vitamins and minerals intake
• Breaks down food in your body
• Keeps your body hydrated
• Heals gum issues
• Cures blemishes and acne
• Improves the quality of your hair and promotes growth
• Excellent source of amino acids

 

What are the side effects of drinking aloe vera juice?

Common side effects of drinking aloe vera juice are as follows:

• Liver problems (rare)
• Heart disturbances (rare)
• Weight loss (high doses)
• Muscle weakness (high doses)
• Low potassium (high doses)
• Blood in your urine (high doses)
• kidney problems (rare)
• Diarrhoea (high doses)
• Stomach cramps and pain (high doses)
• Itching and burning of the skin 
• Hypoglycemia (blood sugar)

 

How much aloe vera should I eat daily?

You can consume 100-200 mg of aloe juice or 50 mg of aloe extract every day or as needed. Please note that high doses of latex or aloe are dangerous. 

 

How much aloe juice is too much?

Refrain from overdoing aloe vera juice because consuming large quantities can lead to electrolyte imbalance. Consuming eight ounces every day is the sweet spot for most people. It’s okay to drink aloe vera juice on an empty stomach or with meals. 

 

Is drinking aloe vera good for you?

Yes, drinking aloe vera is good for you. It contains antioxidants that help fight free radicals. In simpler words, it reduces the risk of chronic conditions like cancer, heart disease and diabetes. 

 

Does aloe vera juice need to be refrigerated?

Yes, aloe vera juice and gel need to be refrigerated in order to preserve the nutrients present in them. If not, it’s likely to spoil within a day at room temperature.

 

How do you know if Aloe Vera has gone bad?

The ideal way to know if aloe vera has gone bad is to check if it seems funny or is discoloured. 

 

How long will aloe vera juice last?

The lifespan of aloe vera juice is similar to that of gel when it’s not opened i.e. 2-3 years. However, the gel and juice only last a few weeks once opened and needs to be refrigerated.

 

What does aloe smell like?

Aloe vera belongs to the same family as onion or garlic. Therefore, natural aloe vera has a similar smell and taste to other plants in its family. Its sour smell and characteristic taste are similar to that of garlic.

 

How do I use fresh aloe vera?

Fresh aloe vera gel can directly be applied to your skin. You can also follow a homemade recipe to make a beauty product. Additionally, it can be added to drinks, smoothies and other foods.

 

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The Takeaway

Aloe vera smoothie is an excellent drink to add to your daily diet. Packed with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, it can be consumed with meals or on an empty stomach.