Aloe Vera the latest super-supplement you should be sipping.

We've  all heard that a green juice a day keeps aging skin away, but a new trend takes it to another level: drinking aloe juice. This hip  new ingredient  is coming to a pressed juice near you. Now  it might be known for its ability to calm and soothe your sunburn backside but the succulent juice of the humble aloe vera plant is being touted as the latest super-supplement you should be sipping. Apart from being a top-notch topical agent, researchers claim it aids digestion, enhances the immune system and alkalizes the body.

Here are some other interesting facts about the trending ingredient.

Aloe vera is a bona fide superfood with a laundry list of health promoting benefits. It’s not the most pleasant tasting substance on its own, but blend it into a smoothie with the right ingredients and you’re left with a tasty, nutrient-dense, super drink.

Aloe vera has a long history of use dating all the way back to 1500 B.C. where the Egyptians recorded using it to treat burns, infections and parasites. Topical uses for aloe vera are more commonly known, but since we’re going to consume it in our smoothies let’s focus on the health benefits from internal use.

Aloe vera gel is made up of water, 20 minerals, 12 vitamins, 18 amino acids, and 200 active plant compounds or phytonutrients. Quite impressive, as are the myriad health benefits attributed to aloe vera.

Health benefits of aloe vera gel:

• Boosts immune function
• Powerful anti-inflammatory
• Great for skin health
• Accelerates recovery after exercise
• Potent antioxidant
• Reduces high blood pressure
• Alleviates joint and muscle pain
• Boosts physical endurance
• Stabilizes blood sugar in diabetics
• Helps lower high cholesterol
• Excellent for digestion, and been shown to alleviate and even cure acid reflux, ulcers, IBS, Crohn’s and Celiac disease
• Eliminates constipation
• Anti-cancerous

Do you find aloe to be bitter and not very pleasing to your palate? Here’s a few tips and tricks to evade that bitterness. After I cut a stem/leaf off the plant, I stand it up in a glass and let the yellow sap drain, that’s the bitter part. Also, chill it before you put it in the smoothie. You can either just leave it in the fridge overnight and filet it before adding it to the smoothie, or you can filet it first and freeze the gel part (lay them out on a waxed paper lined cookie sheet.

The amount of gel you get from filleting fresh aloe leaves will vary. I typically shoot for about 1/2 cup. Feel free to use more or less depending on your preferences. Enjoy!

Greenmouth Aloe Vera Smoothie

The Ingredients

• 1 cup almond or coconut milk
• 1 medium aloe vera leaf, filleted (approximately 1/2 cup)
• 1/2 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
• 1/2 cup fresh or frozen mango chunks
• 1 handful of fresh basil
• A little honey, maple syrup, or stevia to sweeten (optional)

• 1 tablespoon flax or chia seeds
• 1 serving protein powder of your choice

Directions

Place all of the ingredients into your blender and blend on high until nice and smooth

Want to learn more? Head over to The http://thegreenmouth.blogspot.com/

Xo Gia