Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Aloe vera has a long history of traditional use for digestive health, particularly for soothing the gastrointestinal tract. Its inner gel has been used in various cultures as a folk remedy for constipation, general gut discomfort, and inflammatory bowel conditions. The rationale for its use in "Leaky Gut Syndrome" — a term popularized in alternative medicine to describe increased intestinal permeability — stems from these broader traditional practices. However, scientific validation for aloe vera’s effectiveness specifically for “leaky gut” is limited. There are a few laboratory and animal studies suggesting aloe vera extracts may help reduce inflammation and promote mucosal healing in the intestines, attributed to compounds such as polysaccharides and acemannan. Some small human studies have looked at aloe’s benefits in inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis, with mixed but occasionally positive results. Nevertheless, these findings cannot be directly extrapolated to “leaky gut syndrome,” which remains a loosely defined and somewhat controversial diagnosis in conventional medicine. In summary, aloe vera’s use for leaky gut is mainly justified by traditional and anecdotal evidence, with only limited scientific studies indirectly relevant to the condition. For this reason, the strength of evidence supporting aloe vera for leaky gut is rated as 2 out of 5.

More about aloe vera
More about Leaky Gut Syndrome

Other ingredients used for Leaky Gut Syndrome

Other health conditions supported by aloe vera

Products containing aloe vera

Nature's Sunshine CleanStart Mild
Nature's Sunshine Aloe Vera (Freeze Dried)
Nature's Sunshine Aloe Vera Gel
Nature's Sunshine Aloe Vera Juice
Nature's Sunshine Aloe Vera Juice (Whole Leaf)
Nature's Sunshine Liquid Cleanse