10.01.13
The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has given aloe vera an “avoid” rating in its Chemical Cuisine guide to food additives, citing studies conducted by the U.S. government that found evidence suggesting aloe vera extracts caused intestinal cancers in male and female laboratory rats.
In recent years drinks and dietary supplements containing aloe vera have popped up in online retailers and in health food stores boasting the plant’s “powerful healing properties,” including claims that it “balances stomach acidity,” detoxifies or promotes “overall well-being.” However, when taken orally, some studies have found that aloe vera can cause cramps and diarrhea, according to CSPI. In 2002, FDA banned it from over-the-counter laxatives, but the ingredient is still commonly used in juice drinks and supplements.
In response to CSPI’s assessment, The International Aloe Science Council (IASC) offered some facts and research about the safety and efficacy of aloe vera. IASC pointed to several recently published studies, which found no carcinogenic effects in mice or rats consuming aloe vera. According to IASC Executive Director, Devon Powell, “These studies provide significant data demonstrating that aloe vera products manufactured according to IASC standards for aloin content are safe.” Aloin is the aloe vera latex laxative component, which has been found to cause cramping and diarrhea.
A press release from IASC also cited research from The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which reviewed aloe vera carcinogenicity information and determined that unpurified whole leaf aloe vera juice is possibly carcinogenic to humans due to its aloin content. However, the IARC report specifically noted that purification by decolorization removes the toxic latex constituents of concern. “The powerful laxative effect from ingesting unpurified aloe vera products would make it obvious if that’s what people were consuming,” said Mr. Powell. “IARC clearly understands that decolorized whole leaf aloe vera juice is devoid of the toxic chemicals that have caused so much concern, yet CSPI seems willing to make uninformed and sensational comments that will only serve to confuse and frighten consumers despite the facts.”
IASC noted that the vast majority of aloe vera products for oral consumption are decolorized, or purified. Decolorization is the process of removing laxative constituents from aloe vera raw materials during processing. This process uses an activated charcoal filtration step to ensure that aloe vera juice finished products are virtually free of toxic constituents found in aloe vera latex.
In other Chemical Cuisine news from CSPI, the organization downgraded the preservative tert-butylhydroquinone, or TBHQ, from “safe” to “avoid” because a government study found TBHQ increased the incidence of tumors in rats. CSPI also downgraded the seaweed extract carrageenan from “safe” to “certain people should avoid.” Additionally, a new entry in Chemical Cuisine for Yellow prussiate of soda stated the anti-caking agent, used by salt manufacturers, is safe, despite the fact that the ingredient contains cyanide. Similarly, the group rates erythritol, polyglycerol polyricinoleate and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose as safe.
In recent years drinks and dietary supplements containing aloe vera have popped up in online retailers and in health food stores boasting the plant’s “powerful healing properties,” including claims that it “balances stomach acidity,” detoxifies or promotes “overall well-being.” However, when taken orally, some studies have found that aloe vera can cause cramps and diarrhea, according to CSPI. In 2002, FDA banned it from over-the-counter laxatives, but the ingredient is still commonly used in juice drinks and supplements.
In response to CSPI’s assessment, The International Aloe Science Council (IASC) offered some facts and research about the safety and efficacy of aloe vera. IASC pointed to several recently published studies, which found no carcinogenic effects in mice or rats consuming aloe vera. According to IASC Executive Director, Devon Powell, “These studies provide significant data demonstrating that aloe vera products manufactured according to IASC standards for aloin content are safe.” Aloin is the aloe vera latex laxative component, which has been found to cause cramping and diarrhea.
A press release from IASC also cited research from The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which reviewed aloe vera carcinogenicity information and determined that unpurified whole leaf aloe vera juice is possibly carcinogenic to humans due to its aloin content. However, the IARC report specifically noted that purification by decolorization removes the toxic latex constituents of concern. “The powerful laxative effect from ingesting unpurified aloe vera products would make it obvious if that’s what people were consuming,” said Mr. Powell. “IARC clearly understands that decolorized whole leaf aloe vera juice is devoid of the toxic chemicals that have caused so much concern, yet CSPI seems willing to make uninformed and sensational comments that will only serve to confuse and frighten consumers despite the facts.”
IASC noted that the vast majority of aloe vera products for oral consumption are decolorized, or purified. Decolorization is the process of removing laxative constituents from aloe vera raw materials during processing. This process uses an activated charcoal filtration step to ensure that aloe vera juice finished products are virtually free of toxic constituents found in aloe vera latex.
In other Chemical Cuisine news from CSPI, the organization downgraded the preservative tert-butylhydroquinone, or TBHQ, from “safe” to “avoid” because a government study found TBHQ increased the incidence of tumors in rats. CSPI also downgraded the seaweed extract carrageenan from “safe” to “certain people should avoid.” Additionally, a new entry in Chemical Cuisine for Yellow prussiate of soda stated the anti-caking agent, used by salt manufacturers, is safe, despite the fact that the ingredient contains cyanide. Similarly, the group rates erythritol, polyglycerol polyricinoleate and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose as safe.
