Could We Really Use Aloe vera Food Supplements to Treat Diabetes? Quality Control Issues

Table 1

Description of selected A. vera juices scrutinized in this analysis.

Aloe vera juice products	Brand, code	Description
Colon cleanse juice, cleansing and purifying action	Aloe Pura, AV-1	Batch number: 6194-1; (i) Whole leaf and unfiltered A. vera inner gel—100% stabilised A. vera juice; (ii) Aloin removed; (iii) A. vera whole leaf and inner gel; (iv) Botanical blend (Glycyrrhiza glabra) [liquorice], Taraxacum officinale [dandelion], L-glutamine, flaxseed fibre [from Linum usitatissimum], apple pectin (from Malus domestica) 0.3%, and fructooligosaccharides; Additives: antioxidant (ascorbic acid), preservatives (potassium sorbate).; Directions: take 25 ml once or twice daily
Digestive aid juice, soothing action	Aloe Pura, AV-2	Batch number: 6290-1; (i) Whole leaf Aloe Vera and inner gel, unfiltered—100% stabilised A. vera juice; (ii) Aloin removed; (iii) Botanical blend (Mentha piperita [peppermint], Carica papaya [papaya], Chamomilla recutita [chamomile], Foeniculum vulgare [fennel], bromelain from Annas comosus).; Additives: antioxidant (ascorbic acid), preservatives (potassium sorbate).; Directions: take 25 ml once or twice daily
BIO-ACTIVE Aloe vera juice, maximum strength	Aloe Pura, AV-3	Batch number: 6349-1; (i) Whole leaf A. vera and inner gel, unfiltered—100% stabilised A. vera juice; (ii) Aloin removed; (iii) Natural A. vera juice (99.99%); Additives: antioxidant (ascorbic acid), preservatives (potassium sorbate).; Directions: no dose recommendation
Maximum strength Aloe vera juice supports healthy digestion	Holland and Barrett, AV-4	Batch number: 6332-4; (i) A. vera leaf juice 99% with antioxidant (ascorbic acid) and preservatives; (ii) A combination of filtered whole leaf and unfiltered inner gel A. vera; (iii) Aloin removed; Additives: antioxidant (ascorbic acid), citric acid, and preservatives (potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate).; Directions: take one tablespoon (15 ml) one to three times daily