Hate coconut water? Here's some good news. There's a new health drink on the horizon and yes, it's green.
It's common knowledge that aloe vera can do wonders for the skin and it turns out, we should be drinking it too.
The plant's cooling gel is great for treating burns and hydrating dry complexions but the abundance of antioxidants and vitamins in aloe have sparked a new craze for the plant.
From smoothies to virgin cocktails, aloe vera juice can be added to other drinks or sipped in its pure form. It's fairly inexpensive too (a 500ml bottle costs around £6.50 and only a few drops are needed per serving). So - what's all the fuss about?'
Aside from skin repair, aloe can promote a healthy immune and digestive system.
"The aloe latex contains anthraquinones, aloesin & resin which have demonstrated to support peristalsis in the gut and may improve symptoms such as constipation," says nutritional therapist Henrietta Norton. "The gel however has been shown to have anti-inflammatory affects and can therefore support topical wound healing and, if taken in liquid, seems to help patients with inflammatory bowel disease."
As well as cleansing the body, aloe is rich in minerals such as zinc, calcium and iron and vitamins A, C, E, folic acid, B1, B2, B3, B6 and vitamin B12. This means it's brilliant for aiding the function of the brain and nervous systems, says Suzanne Colston-Lynch, the Head of Training at Neal's Yard Remedies.
"It is also mineral-rich and full of amino and fatty acids and is also often used to help stabilise the metabolic rate to assist weight loss alongside a healthy lifestyle," Colston-Lynch told us.
Want to reap the health benefits? Go green in 2014.
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