Aloe Vera is nothing short of a wonder plant, been used for centuries as a miracle drug for cuts, burns and other external injuries; Aloe Vera in the present day is used as the main ingredient in many skin care products and medicines. But in addition to that, the aloe vera drink is also one of its many uses. Like its external benefits, its internal benefits are even more as it makes for a great internal cleanser, weight loss ingredients and is filled with tons of nutrients and vitamins. If you want to live a healthier life, then an aloe vera drink is your best friend.

Though you can quite easily make an aloe vera drink yourself, there are many readymade options available in the market which come combined with different ingredients to add flavor, color and even more vitamins and minerals. The best thing about and aloe vera drink is that it is completely natural, and that means there are no side effects, and you can have this all natural rejuvenating drink without any fear or worry. An Aloe Vera Drink is extremely easy to make, all you need is some aloe vera juice and then add it to any other fruit juice or shake and drink; though you can have it on its own by adding just the juice and water, but adding fruit juice and shakes makes it much more tasty. But if you’re looking for something that doesn’t require that much of an effort, you can buy a readymade bottled aloe vera drink, right off the shelf of your corner store. Though you will find tons of brands out there that offer them, Okyalo is a brand which produces the highest quality for the fairest of prices.

They have many flavors available and in different sizes too. You can either choose the plain aloe vera drink, with no Preservatives, no GMO, no artificial flavor and no artificial coloring. And the best part is that it only contains 5g sugar/100ml to keep your body fit and healthy. There is the strawberry flavor as well, which adds a bit of Vitamin C (from the Strawberries) into the mix. Then there is the mango flavor, which is one of the most common flavors in the world. In addition to that, pineapple flavor is also available because it is loaded with a potent and unique nutritional profile. No matter for improved digestion, arthritis treatment, or better skin. And finally we have the Lychee and Peach flavors as well.

These drinks are available in 500ml bottles and 1.5L bottles, in all the flavors mentioned before. Whether you wish to make one for yourself, or buy one off the shelf; next time when you need a drink, the aloe vera drink is the thing to get for an all natural, refreshing and rejuvenating drink that is all benefits and zero side effects.

If there’s one thing likely to make the upcoming season of goodwill less merry and result in a crummy Christmas, it’s being suddenly struck by digestive problems. Pretty much the last thing in the world any festive reveller wants is to be prevented from indulging in all that rich food we consume at the most wonderful time of the year, lest it helps bring on excessive bloating, bouts of constipation and irritable diarrhea.

And irritable’s very much the word, for if you find yourself suffering from such symptoms at Christmas – or, for that matter, at any time of year – then it could well be that you’re among the millions around the globe who have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

What is IBS?

IBS is a highly common gut disorder – frankly, it’s probably the most common in the world – being something of a broadly defined condition. Generally speaking, it’s estimated to affect around one in five people at any time¹, but women sufferers outnumber men by two to one¹ – the most afflicted are women aged between 25 and 45-years-old

There’s no question, IBS can be both disruptive and distressing and potentially lead to embarrassment in certain situations; however, one bonus (if you can call it that) is that it’s neither life-threatening nor can it fester and turn into bowel cancer.

The two most common symptoms IBS sufferers have to put up with are constipation and diarrhea, or often a mixture of both. Other symptoms that often come with the condition are intestinal pain and cramps, bloating, nausea and vomiting (in some cases) and an inability to fully empty your bowels. Unfortunately, owing to the fact it’s a chronic disorder and that its physical symptoms come and go, the likes of stress, anxiety and depression are also commonly associated with IBS.

Dietary tips

So, should you suspect you’re suffering from IBS, what can you do about it? Well, don’t suffer in silence. As with practically any ailment (unless it’s an ordinary cold), you’re advised to seek medical advice and probably an examination to have confirmed what it is that’s actually wrong with you, of course. But beyond that – and as pretty much any and every medical practitioner will advise – you can make lifestyle changes that will aid living and coping with IBS on an everyday basis.

Predominantly, these changes ought to concern diet. Foods and drinks to cut down on – or, at best, avoid – because they’re IBS irritants include the likes of coffee, cow’s milk, sugary drinks, sweet wine and wheat-based foods, such as bread and biscuits. As an alternative to the latter, you might try oat-based cereals, oatcakes, porridge and rye bread (made with water rather than milk).

Essentially you should try to steer clear as much as you can ingredients like:

• Artificial sweeteners (in particular, aspartame and sorbitol)
• Corn syrup
• Dextrose
• Fructose
• Glucose
• Maltose
• Modified starch
• Sucrose
• Wheat flour
• Yeast

And when you do eat, be mindful to chew thoroughly, allow your food to ‘go down’ for around 10 minutes after eating and try not to eat while walking somewhere. It’s a good idea too to take on lots of water, which means sipping a good deal of it between meals and having a full glass between getting up and breakfast.

Probiotic supplements

Another method for combating IBS is through BioCare probiotics – indeed, many sufferers are taking the supplement route to offset IBS symptoms and improve their general gut health. So why not try one of the following available via The Finchley Clinic?

• Bifidobacterium Bifidum (powder/ 60 g) – one of the predominant, friendly bacteria that occupy in the lower part of the small intestine, Bifidobacteria are excellent at exerting a controlling influence over the overall balance of gut flora

• MicroFloraGuard (30 capsules) – works by releasing friendly bacteria, garlic and botanical oils (which are both antiseptic and antifungal) at separate and highly effective intervals into the intestinal system.