This weeks Friday Eats is a feature on another dietary product that is taking Winnipeg by storm.

Aloe Vera, also known as the medicinal aloe, is a species of succulent plant that originated in Northern Africa, the Canary islands and Cape Verde. Aloe Vera grows in arid climates and is widely distributed in Africa and other arid areas. The species is frequently cited as being used in herbal medicine. Many scientific studies of the use of Aloe Vera have been undertaken, some of them conflicting. Despite these limitations, there is some preliminary evidence that Aloe Vera extracts may be useful in the treatment of wound and burn healing, diabetes and elevated blood lipids in humans. These positive effects are thought to be due to the presence of compounds such as polysaccharides, mannans, anthraquinones and lectins.

Aloe Vera juice is a drink that’s made from crushed Aloe Vera. It has natural detoxifying benefits and natural support for the immune system.

It soothes and cleanse your digestive tract and improves circulation. Everyone knows how healthy Aloe Vera is when it is applied externally on your skin, just imagine how healthy it can be for your body internally when it is consumed.

The drink comes in a variety of different tasty & healthy flavours: natural, sugar-free, pomegranate, mango, lychee, keewee, pineapple, peach, guava & grape.

To try out various different brands and flavours of Aloe Vera Juice head to your local Young’s Market.

Image uwajimaya Originally uploaded by leff