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Aloin: What it is & Why to avoid it

4 min read

Aloin: What it is & Why to avoid it

Consuming Aloe Vera has been recognized as both a popular and safe way to reap the many benefits of this versatile plant. Over the centuries, Aloe Vera was used everywhere from the Americas to Egypt and Asia, gaining a reputation as a "plant of immortality" and "wand of the heavens". Sure, eating Aloe Vera is safe, but only so long as you eat the right part of the plant!

WHAT IS ALOIN?

Aloin is a natural chemical found in the skin of the Aloe Vera plant that has laxative effects when orally consumed by humans. All the types of Aloe vera plants do contain aloin. Not to be confused with Acemannan(a beneficial compound in Aloe Vera), aloin has long been a point of controversy, as some found it to be a useful as a stimulant-laxative to treat constipation by inducing bowel movements. However, the negative side effects of aloin far out weigh any benefits and even make consumption of the chemical potentially dangerous.

HOW TO AVOID ALOIN CONSUMPTION

How can Aloe Vera be referred to as a superfood if it can potentially harm the intestinal tract? It may sound like an oversimplification, but the answer is in knowing which part of the plant is safe to consume versus which part is not—that which contains aloin and that which does not. Aloe Vera gel is found in the center of the leaf and is the nutrient rich part of the plant. The latex coating found on the interior part of the leaf’s rind is not.

 

That latex coating is the part of the plant which contains aloin. The latex is a yellowish sap or juice in the layer below the outer skin, i.e., the inner rind of the plant’s leaves. If you’re unsure, Aloin is extremely bitter and will also stain clothes, so beware if you are drinking aloe juice and it tastes bitter or mixed with lots of sweetener. 

EXTRACTION OF ALOIN FROM ALOE VERA LEAF

Because aloin can be dangerous, the part of the Aloe Vera plant that contains aloin should not be consumed. In other words, you should not just eat a raw Aloe leaf! Instead, seek out the Aloe Vera gel within the center of the plant’s leaf, which is your target for eating or drinking. The gel contains trace amounts or no aloin at all. In the case of Aloe vera, like many fruits and vegetables, the protective layer must be peeled away before accessing the nutritional substance found on the inside.

  1. Fillet aloe leaves lengthwise into halves
  2. Carefully slice off outer layer of skin with a sharp knife
  3. Thoroughly rinse resulting inner gel
  4. Consume inner gel immediately or refrigerate

On a commercial scale, the key differentiator in AloeCure products, and our Juice in particular, is how we remove the aloin. Nearly all other Aloe Vera products on the market utilize charcoal filtration or added enzymes that to help remove the aloin. While that might sound fine, it also strips a large amount of the other components naturally found in Aloe Vera during the process. When you see other Aloe Vera Juices that are clear or don't have any smell or taste, that is almost certainly a sign they have used one of these two methods. While the taste of Aloe Vera isn't for everyone, if you aren't tasting it, you probably aren't drinking what you think you are and if its bitter, you are drinking juice that still contains aloin. 

At AloeCure, we have developed an entirely natural and proprietary process by which we remove all Aloin from our products without the addition of outside ingredients or enzymes or charcoal filtration. AloeCure process all of our aloe within 12 Hours of Harvest from our Organic plantations in order to ensure maximum preservation of nutrients found in wild Aloe Vera.

     

    CAN ALOIN BE USED SAFELY?

    Because aloin is a type of anthraquinone glycoside, a natural chemical, it has powerful laxative properties. Even though it’s banned commercially for consumption, some people still ingest the latex juice to relieve constipation. Health professionals do not consider it a safe laxative, thus aloin does not have any benefits. There are no ‘safe’ dosages. Concentrations of aloin vary throughout the plant and results may be unpredictable when consuming even a single portion.

    Aloe Vera GEL when processed correctly is a nutrient-dense plant, and it is increasingly being referred to by many as a superfood. That’s mainly because of the overall health benefits it provides like supporting the immune system and aiding the digestive system. It also provides a source of antioxidants and healthy levels of vitamins A, C, D, E, B, B-1, B-2, B12, and folic acid which in total have their own unique benefits. The gel contains minerals such as calcium, chromium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, sodium and zinc, which are useful to support one’s overall health. Add the 20 amino acids that aid in building muscle tissue, and the 7 key enzymes that assist in breaking down food and boost nutrient absorption, and it’s no wonder that Aloe Vera is considered a superfood.

     


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