When you think of aloe vera, maybe you picture the spiky, succulent leaves, or the sunburn gel you sometimes use to soothe your skin, but did you also know that you can eat this plant? And that it is a nutritionally-packed superfood? It’s true, and by consuming aloe vera you can improve your digestion, detoxify your body, improve the health of your heart, reduce inflammation, and more.
Smoothies featuring aloe vera
Aloe Vera Lemonade Smoothie
I recently purchased aloe vera gel to use in a couple body butter recipes, but made sure to save a little for smoothies :)
In the past I’ve procured fresh aloe leaves, filleted, and scraped out the gel for use in smoothies. As it turns out this aloe vera gel is much easier to work with.
For the complete download on the health benefits and awesomeness of aloe vera, click here to view my article. The Reader’s Digest version: aloe is replete with vitamins, minerals, and essential amino acids. Its impressive nutrient profile leads to the following health benefits:
Supergreen Aloe Smoothie
Greens and the wonderful superfood aloe vera combine for one super healthy smoothie.
Most people are familiar with using aloe vera topically. It’s great for burns, sunburn, rashes, acne, poison ivy, and a host of other skin conditions.
But the real magic and health benefits of aloe are experienced by those who consume it.
The gel of raw aloe contains a bevy of vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, fiber, amino acids, enzymes, and the all important polysaccharides.
Polysaccharides are carbohydrates, or long chain sugar molecules, responsible for the following health benefits:
The Beautiful Skin Smoothie
One of the many benefits people experience when consuming healthy smoothies on a regular basis is clear, supple, glowing skin.
The secret to beautiful skin is how healthy you are on the inside, not what you apply externally. Although external lotions, creams, salves, and such that aren’t full of toxic tagalongs can be very helpful to your skin.
Your skin really is a reflection of how healthy you are on the inside. If your major organs are functioning properly, your blood is clean, your digestion is good, and your body’s natural detoxification channels are working correctly, most likely you have beautiful skin.
Awesome Aloe Vera Smoothie Recipe
Photo by evelynchu
Aloe vera is a bona fide superfood with a laundry list of health promoting benefits. It’s not the most pleasant tasting substance on its own, but blend it into a smoothie with the right ingredients and you’re left with a tasty, nutrient-dense, super drink.
Aloe vera has a long history of use dating all the way back to 1500 B.C. where the Egyptians recorded using it to treat burns, infections and parasites. Topical uses for aloe vera are more commonly known, but since we’re going to consume it in our smoothies let’s focus on the health benefits from internal use.