Aloe Vera Smoothie With Banana, Strawberry, and Papaya

We’re all familiar with the wonderful benefits of consuming aloe vera. Whether it’s strengthening your hair, clearing up skin, reducing heartburn, or maintaining eye health, this nutritious herb is a worthwhile addition to your diet. 

Sure, there are people who really enjoy eating aloe vera, but for those who don’t, we’ve put together a delicious aloe vera smoothie recipe. 

Ingredients For This Aloe Vera Smoothie 

Making the aloe vera smoothie is no rocket science — in fact, it’s a simple and fun process with basic ingredients and a mouth-watering end product! 

• • 1 spear of aloe vera for natural aloe vera gel

• • Frozen strawberries 

• • Frozen papaya chunks 

• • Banana 

• • Almond milk or any other plant milk

What Does Aloe Vera Taste Like? 

Good news is that some testimonies have indicated this supernutritious herb to have a mild and fairly neutral flavor, which means you’ll eventually start enjoying it once you develop the taste!

To scale your tolerance, try consuming it in a delicious beverage, such as the aloe vera gel smoothie we’ve put together in this recipe.

How To Eat Aloe Vera?

While you can definitely eat aloe vera in its raw form, some people might not like the flavor it has. In such cases, consider using the fun ways we’ve rounded up below to enhance the taste yet take full advantage of its nutritional value. 

• • Make aloe vera juice by blending together aloe gel and water. 

• • Blend cubes of the aloe meat into drinks like the papaya and aloe vera smoothie paired with banana and strawberry.

• • Top any spicy salad with aloe cubes or rinse and slice the aloe vera skin to use as a topping.  

Is It Safe To Eat Aloe Vera? 

Yes, eating aloe vera is completely safe. The only element you should look out for is the latex of the leaf. Studies suggest that consuming this sap can cause cramps or even cancer. However, it’s quite easy to separate it from the gel. To differentiate between edible and non-edible aloe vera watch this video.

Start by looking for a leaf that is full, firm, and has minimum blemishes. Next, peel the leaf and cut off the white bottom as well as the spiky sides and top. Soak it in water for an hour to drain the yellow sap. Discard the water afterwards. Then, use a sharp knife or vegetable peeler to slice off a lengthwise piece of the skin from one side. Follow this by scooping out the gel with a spoon and cutting it into cubes. To remove the latex, rinse the cubes thoroughly again. Since the latex is a yellow residue, it will be clearly visible and easy to wash off. You can also watch this video on how to prepare aloe vera for eating!

How To Make A Smoothie With Aloe Vera

Longing to indulge in the incredible benefits of consuming aloe vera? Learn how to make a luscious aloe vera smoothie in 5 easy steps! 

1. 1. Prep the aloe vera: Prepare the aloe vera according to the steps above. 
   2. Mix: Add the aloe vera gel and the rest of the ingredients (strawberries, papaya chunks, bite-sized banana pieces, and almond milk) to the blender.
      
      Pro Tip: Use frozen fruits instead of fresh fruits if you want to avoid using ice for dilution. 
   3. Blend: Blend all the ingredients on high speed until the smoothie is thick and creamy.
      
      Pro Tip: This step will take around 2 minutes. 
   4. Serve: Pour the drink, top it with toasted shredded coconut, and serve immediately!
      
      Pro Tip: The drink will only last up to 24 hours in an airtight container stored in a refrigerator. 

What’s more, this recipe takes only a total of 10 minutes, literally — amazing, right? 

Aloe Vera Smoothie Benefits 

The aloe vera gel smoothie is an easy-to-make, quick, and refreshing beverage. But that’s not where it ends — continue scrolling to discover more! 

Improves Skin Appearance 

Research has proven a boost in collagen production and reduced wrinkles in women under 40. 

This explains that the anti-inflammatory properties of aloe vera make it a potential treatment for skin disorders like dermatitis, along with bringing a significant improvement in the skin’s appearance by combating acne, dry skin, and burns. 

Deals with Digestive Issues 

“Aloe vera juice helps to protect the ‘good' bacteria in your gut to maintain a balanced gut flora. This improves overall digestion,” explains Melissa Rifkin, a registered dietitian. 

Relieves Heartburn 

The alkaline properties of aloe vera neutralize the acidity of your stomach, which, in turn, treats heartburn and nausea. It also combats gastric ulcers and prevents them from increasing in size.

Provides A Nutrient Boost 

Consuming the aloe vera smoothie is a great way to get a nutrient boost while refreshing and energizing yourself. This wholesome drink is densely packed with folic acid and vitamins B, C, and E. 

Vitamin B is essential for brain health; vitamin C is crucial for running the immune system smoothly; vitamin E protects against cancer; and folic acid reduces the risk of heart diseases. Surely the perfect resume of health benefits! 

Keeps You Hydrated 

Aloe vera is a water-packed plant, which means it is a great source to treat and prevent hydration. This property flushes out impurities and aids your kidneys in detoxifying your body more efficiently. 

Difference Between Aloe Vera Gel & Juice 

The main difference between aloe vera gel and juice is the production method. Aloe vera juices are prepared by pressing out the pulp of the fruits and vegetables. Aloe gel, on the other hand, is made by preserving only the inner gel part.

FAQs 

Now that you’re all prepped and convinced to try out the popular and healthy aloe vera smoothie recipe, let’s answer any remaining questions to make the process all the more exciting and effective! 

How do you prepare aloe vera for drinking? 

Preparing aloe vera for drinking means you need to make sure that you extract all the aloe vera while avoiding any latex and dirt from the leaf skin. Here’s how you can do it: 

• • Find a full and firm aloe leaf from your local store. 

• • Thoroughly wash the leaf to remove any dirt. 

• • Use a sharp knife to cut away all the skin. Make sure to remove all the green outer layer and the yellow latex. Soak the pieces in water for about an hour.

• • Add the soaked gel into a strainer and for the second time rinse it to remove any latex residual. 

• • Dilute the aloe gel by blending it with water.

How much fresh aloe vera gel should I drink daily?

Now, remember, you only need a small amount of aloe vera to reap all of its benefits. The recommended amounts are as follows: 

• • 6 ounces per day for an average human being. 

• • 1 tbsp each day for diabetic people. 

• • 20ml per day for weight loss. 

• • 50ml per day to treat constipation. 

An excessive intake of aloe vera gel can result in problems like cramping and skin irritation.

Aloe vera carries extraordinary benefits, but you don’t necessarily have to consume it raw to receive and enjoy the health and beauty advantages it offers. From making a delicious aloe vera smoothie as a refreshing drink to mixing aloe vera powder in yogurt as a nutritious breakfast meal, there are tons of exciting ways to consume this herb!