Research suggests aloe vera has beneficial effects for diabetics

Diabetes patients could have a reason to take a regular dose of aloe vera, as this succulent plant has been found to keep blood sugar levels in check.

For 6,000 years, aloe or aloe vera plants – which are native to Africa and certain Indian Ocean islands -- have been used in phytotherapy, dermatology and cosmetics in the form of gels and creams.

American researchers published this week a review of nine studies exploring the plant's benefits for type 2 diabetes patients in the "Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine."

According to the various sets of data, taking aloe vera as an oral supplement can significantly reduce the level of glucose in the blood (46.6 mg/dl), as well as reducing HbA1c (1.05%), or glycated hemoglobin, which indicates the average blood glucose level over the previous three months.

Regularly taking aloe vera stimulates the secretion of insulin, which is particularly useful for people suffering from diabetes. Patients with blood sugar levels of 200mg/dl benefitted the most from the effects of aloe vera, the researchers found.

Diabetes is diagnosed when a patient's fasting blood sugar level is greater than or equal to 130 mg/dl, or when it rises to 200 mg/dl or more one to two hours after a meal.

Previous clinical research has identified effective therapeutic properties of aloe vera in the treatment of certain skin conditions (eczema, psoriasis, burns), gastro-intestinal conditions and cell ageing, thanks to its antioxidant properties.

For aloe vera juice, the maximum daily dose is a recommended 50ml, while the recommended dose for capsules is 200 to 300mg per day.