While aloe vera is often used to treat sunburn, it has many other medicinal and health benefits. You can even eat it when prepared properly.
Aloe vera is often called the “plant of immortality” because it can live and bloom without soil.
It is a member of the Asphodelaceae family, along with more than 400 other species of aloe.
People have used aloe vera in traditional medicine for thousands of years, and studies have linked it to various health benefits as well. For example, people use the plant to help treat sunburns, fight dental plaque, and lower blood sugar levels.
In addition, aloe vera is rich in nutrients with more than 75 potentially active compounds, including vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids, fatty acids, and polysaccharides.
However, you may wonder whether the plant is safe for consumption.
We discuss whether you can eat aloe vera — and whether you should.
Aloe vera leaves are comprised of three parts: the skin, the gel, and the latex. They’re best known for their gel, which is responsible for most of their health benefits.
While most people apply the gel to their skin, it’s also safe to eat when prepared right.
Aloe vera gel has a clean, refreshing taste, and you can add it to a variety of recipes, including smoothies and salsas.
How to eat aloe vera
To prepare the gel, cut off the spiky edges on the top and alongside the aloe vera leaf. Next, slice off the skin on the flat side, remove the clear gel, and dice it into small cubes.
Make sure to wash the gel cubes thoroughly to remove all traces of dirt, debris, and residue. Latex residue can give the gel an unpleasant bitter taste.
The latex is a thin layer of yellow liquid between the skin and the gel of the leaf. It contains compounds with powerful laxative properties, such as aloin.
In contrast, the aloe vera skin is generally safe to eat. It has a mild flavor and a crunchy texture, perfect for adding variety to your summer salads. Alternatively, the skin can be enjoyed by dipping it in salsa or hummus.
To prepare the skin, cut off the spiky edges on the top and alongside the plant and slice off the skin on the flat side. Make sure to wash the skin thoroughly to remove any dirt, debris and latex.
You can soak it in water for 10 to 20 minutes before eating it if you find it too tough to chew.
It’s very important to choose leaves from the aloe vera plant and not from other aloe species, as these may be poisonous and therefore unfit for human consumption.
Medical PerspectiveCan you provide any other tips for safely preparing aloe to eat?
“Aloe gel can also be made into a beverage. Simply blend the gel with water to create a hydrating drink. This allows you to consume the vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial compounds in the aloe in a form that’s easy to swallow.”
— Kim Rose-Francis RDN, CDCES, LD
Learn more about how to make aloe vera gel.
Quotes represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.
Aloe vera skin care gels and products are not meant to be eaten.
Instead, they’re manufactured to help soothe sunburns, reduce inflammation, moisturize, relieve itchiness, and treat a variety of other skin concerns.
Many commercial aloe vera gels contain preservatives to extend their shelf life, as well as other ingredients to improve the smell, texture, and color. Many of these ingredients are not meant to be ingested.
In addition, processing methods can strip away aloe vera gel’s active ingredients, which are otherwise responsible for the health benefits that come from eating the gel.
Consuming aloe vera gel from the leaf has been linked to potential health benefits. Other parts of the plant have been linked to benefits as well.
Some potential benefits of eating aloe vera include:
- May reduce blood sugar levels: In animal and test-tube studies, aloe vera gel helped reduce blood sugar levels.
- May suppress inflammatory signals: In test-tube studies, aloe vera extract suppressed
inflammatory signals , such as TNFα, IL-1β, and IL-6. - Reduce dental plaque: If used as a mouthwash, aloe vera juice may be as effective as a regular mouthwash in reducing dental plaque build-up.
- Rich in antioxidants: Regularly eating aloe vera gel
may raise blood antioxidant levels. Antioxidants help combat the damage caused by free radicals, which are compounds linked to many chronic diseases.
It is important to note that further research into the potential benefits of aloe vera in humans is necessary.
Eating aloe vera latex, a yellow substance that is found inside the leaf, has potential risks.
In small doses, eating the latex may help treat constipation by promoting contractions. However,
Aloe vera latex consumption has been linked to side effects, including abdominal cramps, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Additionally, some reports indicate that aloe leaf consumption may have contributed to acute hepatitis in some instances.
Pregnant people and those who are breastfeeding should speak with their doctor before eating aloe vera, as it may be unsafe for them.
In addition, if you have any existing health conditions or are taking any medications, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional before eating aloe vera. This is because aloe vera may interact with medications or worsen the symptoms of some health conditions.
Avoid eating aloe vera skin care gels, as they do not offer the same benefits as the gel inside the leaf. Skin care gels may also contain ingredients that are not meant to be eaten.
Aloe vera gel and skin can be eaten. The gel, in particular, may offer several health benefits.
Be sure to wash the gel or skin thoroughly to remove all traces of latex, which has an unpleasant bitter taste and may cause harmful side effects.
Never eat aloe vera skin care products. They do not offer the same benefits as the leaf and are not meant to be ingested.
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have any existing health conditions, or are taking any medications, speak with a doctor before eating aloe vera.