It Works! Simply Aloe: A Deep Dive into Ingredients, Research, and Benefits
It Works! Simply Aloe Review
Aloe vera has been used for millennia as a medicinal plant and more recently as an ingredient in modern dietary supplements and functional beverages. Products like It Works! Simply Aloe (a mango-flavored aloe vera inner leaf concentrate) falls into a category of natural wellness products that aim to harness the soothing effects of Aloe for digestion and overall well-being.
To understand this product — how it’s meant to be used, and what benefits it claims to provide — it’s important to look closely at what aloe vera is, the active compounds it contains, and what the scientific evidence says about those compounds.
What Is in Simply Aloe and How It’s Formulated
The back label provided in product information for It Works Simply Aloe identifies the core ingredient:
- Organic Aloe vera inner leaf juice concentrate (200:1) (100 mg per serving)
— This is essentially a concentrated form of the clear gel from inside the Aloe vera leaf.
Other ingredients listed in similar products include:
- Purified water
- Natural flavors (e.g., mango)
- Citric acid
- Coconut water powder
- Steviol glycosides (a natural sweetener)
- Preservatives like potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate.
This profile indicates that the active plant ingredient is purely aloe vera juice concentrate, with flavoring and stabilizers added to make it palatable as a beverage.
Aloe Vera’s Active Ingredients: What Research Says
Aloe vera isn’t just one compound; it’s a complex plant extract containing hundreds of bioactive constituents. Although products like It Works Simply Aloe do not break down every individual compound, scientists have identified the key groups of compounds responsible for many of the biological effects attributed to the aloe plant:
1. Polysaccharides
The gel inside the Aloe leaf is composed mostly of water (~99%) but the remaining solid fraction — especially polysaccharides — is considered the main bioactive component.
- Acemannan — A large mannose-rich polysaccharide believed to have immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing potential.
- Other mannans, glucomannans, and pectins — These contribute to aloe’s viscosity and may support hydration and immune signaling at a cellular level.
These polysaccharides have shown effects in laboratory studies such as promoting immune cell activity or antioxidant effects — but clinical evidence in humans is limited.
2. Vitamins, Minerals, and Enzymes
Aloe contains small amounts of:
- Vitamins A, C, E — antioxidants.
- Trace minerals (zinc, selenium) — important in cellular function.
- Enzymes — which may support digestive processes in theory, though enzyme activity can degrade quickly after processing.
3. Anthraquinones (in Aloe latex)
These compounds, including aloin and aloe-emodin, are largely found in the latex (the yellow sap just under the leaf skin) and are known for their laxative properties.
Most topical or edible aloe products used today are de-latoimed — meaning most of the harsh latex is removed to avoid gastrointestinal side effects.
Research on Aloe vera — What the Evidence Shows
1. Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects
Research indicates aloe vera gel contains antioxidant compounds capable of scavenging free radicals (unstable molecules that can damage cells). These properties are often cited as beneficial in protecting tissues from oxidative stress.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12451482
2. Digestive Support
Traditional use — and some clinical studies — suggest aloe gel may support digestion. For example, limited clinical trials report improvements in insulin resistance and blood glucose control in adults taking aloe gel supplements.
However, results are mixed, and the specific mechanisms behind these potential metabolic effects are not fully understood.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22198821
3. Hydration and Tissue Healing
Lab and animal research supports aloe’s ability to promote wound healing and hydration — effects often tied to the polysaccharide fraction of the gel.
Topical aloe has been used for skin healing (sunburn, minor burns, abrasions) topically but limited research has been done on aloe healing properties for ingestible aloe products.
One study showed that when aloe was taken by mouth in rats, it influenced internal biological processes associated with tissue repair — such as collagen synthesis and blood-vessel growth.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33023442
How Simply Aloe Is Intended to Be Used
According to product info for similar It Works! aloe beverages:
- Adults are instructed to mix one tablespoon (15 mL) of the concentrate with about 4 oz of water or another drink to create a diluted aloe beverage.
- You “shake well before use” since it’s a concentrated juice form.
The recommendation is to support healthy digestion and nutrient absorption, which the company frames as part of overall wellness.
Claimed Benefits (Marketing) vs. Scientific Evidence
Typical claims for aloe juice products include:
- Supporting healthy digestion
- Soothing the stomach lining
- Helping the body absorb nutrients more efficiently
- Promoting general well-being and gut comfort
These are marketing claims often seen with aloe supplements.
What Research Actually Supports
- Digestive effects: Some studies have observed improved blood glucose markers and digestive responses with aloe gel supplements — but these findings are preliminary and not strongly conclusive.
- Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity: Aloe contains compounds with antioxidant potential — though the real effect in humans from a typical supplement dose remains unclear.
- Hydration and mild soothing: The gel’s polysaccharide content may promote hydration and local soothing effects, especially topically, but human evidence on internal use is limited.
Safety Considerations
- Aloe oral products are not FDA-approved medications, and their regulation is less strict than pharmaceuticals.
- Aloe latex (not typically in inner leaf juice) can cause digestive upset if consumed.
- Some aloe extracts have been linked to safety concerns — especially high aloin content — but most modern products remove this component.
- Pregnant and breastfeeding individuals should consult a healthcare provider before use.
Conclusion
It Works Simply Aloe is a beverage concentrate made from organic Aloe vera inner leaf juice, marketed as a wellness drink aimed at supporting digestion and overall well-being.
Its active ingredient — aloe vera gel — contains polysaccharides, antioxidants, vitamins, and other plant compounds that have shown promising biological activities in laboratory and small clinical studies. However, the evidence remains limited and not definitive, especially for ingestible products.
While many users enjoy aloe products and some studies support specific benefits like modest digestive effects, larger and more rigorous research is needed to confirm broad claims.
