Aloe Vera for weight loss

Aloe Vera is one of the most celebrated herbs these days. We all know about Aloe’s benefits for skin & hair. Most cosmetic products claim to use Aloe in their composition. In fact, Aloe Vera-infused products are the most the high selling ones. But did you ever imagine that Aloe Vera could help you in weight loss too? Yes, this powerful herbal ingredient also known as ‘Ghrita Kumari’ in Ayurveda can help you in your weight loss journey.

Aloe Vera is a short stemmed succulent shrub that resembles Cactus. The shrub comes with erect thorn-edged leaves that are filled with a jelly-like sap. The Aloe Vera shrub grows naturally in many parts of North America and has been in medicinal use since time immemorial. Aloe Vera is also differently termed as ‘Wonder Plant’ for his amazing health benefits. Aloe Vera has a rich nutritional profile and the various active compounds present in Aloe are said to promote weight loss.

How does Aloe Vera help in weight loss?

Metabolism booster

Aloe Vera has a high content of Vitamin B. Vitamin B speeds up metabolism by converting much of your stored fat into energy.

Fat flusher

Aloe Vera is the best detoxification tonic for your body. A nutrient dense complex carb known by the name of ‘acemannan’ present in Aloe Vera triggers the detoxification process. It cleanses your gut and strengthens your immune system. That gives your body the capacity to shed the excess pounds.

Water weight eliminator

Water retention in your body could lead to weight gain. The laxative property of Aloe Vera coming from a compound ‘Aloin’ can help your body get rid of the excess water in your body. Getting rid of the water weight can help you in better weight management.

Digestion booster

Proper digestion can improve assimilation of food nutrients into the body. A strong digestive system will leave no excess fat in your body to be converted into fat. Good digestion improves your body’s metabolic rate & help in maintaining a healthy body weight.

Lesser fat formation

Aloe Vera slows down fat formation. Consumption of Aloe Vera can lower blood glucose levels in the body. That slows down sugar absorption and build-up of fat in the body.

Hunger suppression

Aloe Vera is rich in Amino Acids, several essential Vitamins and Minerals. Thus, intake of Aloe Vera can make us feel ‘full’ for a longer period of time. That’ll stop you from overeating and packing in excess calories.

How to consume Aloe Vera for weight loss

As Aloe Vera Juice

You can consume Aloe Vera in the form of Aloe Juice. Aloe juice is made by combining Aloe Vera sap and water. The Aloe sap tastes somewhat bitter and acidic and has an underlying sweetish tinge. The first step to preparing Aloe Vera juice is to extract the Aloe sap. To extract the Aloe sap, you need to follow the given steps:

1.      Wash the Aloe leaves

2.      Peel off upper skin

3.      Crush the leaves

4.      Squeeze out or scoop out the sap

5.      Filter the sap & refrigerate it

To prepare the Aloe Vera Juice for weight loss you need to follow the following steps:

1.      Take one glass of water in a saucepan

2.      Add 1 tsp Aloe Vera sap to it

3.      Turn the flame on and keep it medium

4.      Keep stirring until the Aloe sap mingles completely with the water

5.      Turn off the flame

6.      Drink the Aloe Vera juice when it has cooled down to some extent. It’s best to drink the juice on empty stomach in the morning. You can sweeten it with honey and squeeze in some amount of lemon juice to improve the taste.

As Aloe Vera Salad

This refreshing summer special salad can be used as a year-round weight loss promoting salad too. Apart from diced pieces of Aloe, other ingredients that may go into the salad are: blueberries, strawberries, apple and oranges. To add to salad’s taste & aroma, you need to use fresh mint leaves, basil seeds and rose water in it.

As Aloe Vera Tea

This powerful herbal tea has many other health benefits apart from weight loss. You can drink the tea the first thing in the morning to kick-start your weight loss journey for the day. To make Aloe Tea, you need to steep a green tea bag (Decaffeinated) in hot boiling water for about 3 minutes and then add 1 tsp freshly extracted Aloe sap or dried aloe powder. Also, add honey as sweetener and give it a stir. Strain and drink the tea fuming hot.

Green Aloe Smoothie

This is a power drink. This green smoothie is in fact the perfect drink to be taken pre or post workout. It can keep up your energy during workouts. To make the smoothie you need peeled and diced cucumber, a bunch of celery, half a cup of Aloe sap, 1 inch of Ginger root and a pinch of black salt. Blend all ingredients in a blender. Strain & drink glassful.

Aloe Vera Soup

This healthy weight loss soup can make an effective fat blaster. Pressure cook diced pieces of Aloe stem and bottle gourd. Now in a saucepan, heat butter. Add minced garlic and fry. Then add the cooked aloe and bottle gourd along with water. Cover and cook for 5 minutes. Add a pinch of chaat masala and black pepper. Add salt to taste and give a good stir. Remove from flame and blend the soup in blender. Strain, pour it in bowl, garnish with chopped coriander leaves and enjoy while still warm.

Fried Aloe Dessert

You need to fry diced aloe stem until they turn crispy. Then, brush the fried pieces with honey or maple syrup. Mix well and enjoy. You would really love this unique, fried Aloe dessert.

Words of Caution

• Pregnant women and children of growing age should not take Aloe
• Those who are allergic to laxatives should not take Aloe
• One should never take Aloe beyond the permissible limits.