from Woman's Weekly 24th Oct 2013 - by Donna Fleming

Mention aloe vera and most people think of a spiky plant that secretes a gel that’s good for your skin. But it also turns out to be packed full of nutrients that can have all sorts of health benefits. It’s claimed aloe vera juice can aid weight loss, improve digestion, lower cholesterol and boost immune function. It contains a range of vitamins, including A, C, E, B1, B2, B3, B6 and folic acid. It is also one of the few plants to contain vitamin B12, usually obtained from meat, which helps the brain and nervous system to function properly.

It’s also a source of minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, chromium, selenium, iron, sodium and potassium. Nutritionists often recommend it for people with digestive discomforts (bloating and acid reflux), and it can also be applied to the skin to treat burns and psoriasis.

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