Aloe Vera Can Lower down Blood Glucose Level, Experts Say

Diabetes has been known as a global epidemic and also the leading cause of disease and mortality. And as many people with type 2 diabetes have controlled their disease, it is a good time to discover a new, affordable and potent drug with less unfavorable side effects. Now, an accumulated analysis of studies showed that oral aloe vera causes a significant decrease in both fasting blood glucose (FBG) and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c).

According to Hindustan Times, American researchers analyzed nine studies which explored the plant's benefits on patients with type 2 diabetes. Various sets of data showed that taking aloe vera as an oral supplement has a significant decrease in the level of glucose in the blood by 46.6 mg/dl. It was also found that the plant reduces HbA1c (1.05%), or glycated hemoglobin, which shows the average blood glucose level over the last three months.

The analysis was done by researchers at the David Grant USAF Medical Center at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, CA. The authors also observed that 21 million people in the United States are diagnosed with diabetes, and the total cost of treatment and productivity loss because of diabetes in 2012 summed up to $245 million, Eurekalert reported. The global cost is expected to "exceed a staggering $490 billion" by 2030.

Medical News Today reported that the part of the aloe vera plan that is used as a medicine is the leaves, specifically the green outer rind and the colorless gel inside it. Aloe vera products are also made from either of these components, or both.

The researchers also said that the aloe vera plant is also said to contain at least 75 active compounds including vitamins, enzymes, minerals, anthraquinones, monosaccharide, polysaccharides, lignin, saponins, salicylic acids, phytosterols, and amino acids, which play a key role in control the level of glucose in the blood.

They concluded that there were several limitations in the data and findings. For example, there were inconsistencies across studies in the formulation of aloe vera used which makes it difficult to determine which products would be effective.

"Further clinical studies that are more robust and better controlled are warranted to further explore these findings," they said.