Aloe Vera Drink ?

Hi,

When visiting some friends they were eager for us to try one of their now favourite drinks, some Aloe Vera , said to be good for digestion etc etc ...
We knew about Aloe Vera the plant and using its sap on the skin, but a drink ?

Though it tasted ok and sold by Sainsburys, what did rather concern us is that its actually made in China ?! and it did make us wonder about its provenance and health safety ?

https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/simplee-aloe-natural-aloe-vera-drink-1l

 

Is it similar to tequila?

 

Well we did have a bit of a headache and slightly blurred vision when we got home !

 

I don't know about Aloe vera in liquid form -the only use I make of my plants on a regular basis is to slit a stem and use the "gel" to help heal small cuts, insect bites and the like. Works well for me that way.

 

Looking at the ingredient list, you'd be paying for water, sugar, sugar substitute, 'natural' flavourings (whatever they are) and citric acid. I'd stick with water with a couple of limes squeezed into it!

 

There was a ponzi like scheme went on in Italy a few years back and people were paying €15/Btl for it. That went on until some big supermarket started selling it at €2.50 .

 

Aloe vera stimulates cells growing, all of them, cancer too. That's why it's not that safe.
I personally soak tomato seeds in aloe before transferring into substrate.

 

Wow, thats a dramatic statement @Alisa as its a product many have sworn by for so many years as such a healing plant, many citing its anti cancer properties.
Looking around the web there does seem more indicaters/studies that it is good against cancer rather than making it worse ?
However, accept there is alway two sides to such things, do you have some links ?

Our initial post was really aimed at the fact it was made in China as we were more concerned about the quality of the ingredients and manufacturing methods.

Either way we will not be drinking it !

 

I have several plants and love the blooms. I also have several tubes of 100% gel. It is a great after sun lotion and I mix a squirt to my Nivea (baby) general purpose body cream. They sell the drinks here too but I have never fancied it.

 

I looked on line for ingredients of our biggest chain store (Continente/Modelo) Aloe Vera Juice Drink and it says ...

"Ingredient Declaration: Purified Aloe Vera variety Barbadensis Miller*, acidity regulator: citric acid, antioxidant: ascorbic acid, *from controlled organic farming."

 

It does say online that aloe vera juice helps with acid reflux symptoms, but I find the citric acid in products gives me it. Citric acid is also in tinned tomatoes unfortunately.

 

As do Tomatoes which are high on the list of foods to avoid with reflux.

https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/wp-cont...n-management-of-gastro-oesophageal-reflux.pdf

 

Aloe vera gel is great for skin - burns, rashes, insect bites and so on - but I don't think I fancy drinking it.

 

I recently succumbed to a Poundland Aloe drink as I was parched and had to wait 20 mins for the bus on a hot day. The drink was cheaper than bottled water. Now I know why.

Even though I was very thirsty, it was a struggle to get any down. The Aloe-ness meant "slimy", and the bits felt like things you do not want to think when there is any liquid in your mouth to be swallowed. I don't know if there are any traditional ways to drink Aloe where it grows naturally- it would be interesting to know.

Water it is for me please.

Well, Pinot Grigio would do too


Poundland Aloe Vera drink

Dr Aloe Strawberry, 500ml

A delicious soft drink made with real aloe vera pieces and juice and natural strawberry flavour

Dr. Aloe isn't your average drink. Real Pieces of aloe vera give the drink its unique texture, and its clean and refreshing flavour makes it a deliciously different refreshment. With no artificial flavours or colours, why not go on and hydrate yourself, and create a spot of spectacular in a very normal world even if just for a few minutes.



Ingredients

Water, white sugar, aloe vera gel(25%), Concentrated Strawberry Juice, Activity Regulators (Citric Acid, Malic Acid), Stabilisers (Gellan Gum, Calcium Lactate), Sweetener (Sucralose), Antioxidant (Ascorbic Acid), Preservative (Sodium Benzoate), Flavouring.

 

Sounds disgusting and gloopy!