This summer, people arent just slathering aloe vera on their sun-scorched scalp. They’re chugging it in hopes of losing weight, too.

Aloe juice or aloe waterwhich can be found at health food storesisn’t as goopy or neon green as the stuff from the pharmacy, but its marketed as being equally magical.

Proponents claim that drinking aloe juice speeds up metabolism, promotes proper digestion, and helps you burn extra fat and calories.( And thats after it does wonders for your scalp, according to Goop founder Gwyneth Paltrow .)

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And while juicing aloe is a relatively new theory in the U.S ., people in Latin America and the Arabian Peninsula have been using the stuff to relieve symptoms of diabetes, including high blood sugar, for a long time, according to a review published in Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects .

Whats in the Green Stuff ?
Inside every green aloe vera succulent, youll find about 75 potentially active compounds including antioxidants( vitamins A, C, and E ), enzymes, minerals, sugars, fiber, and amino acids, according to the Indian Journal of Dermatology . Some research even suggests that the gunk has anti-inflammatory benefits, according to the Herbal Medicine review. And since inflammation is linked to weight gain and metabolic problems, it constructs sense why some people would think this leads to weight loss.

However, if you look at the nutrition label on the back of an aloe juice bottle, you probably wont find much of anything, told NYC-based dietitian Albert Matheny, R.D ., C.S.C.S. For instance, many brands contain only carbohydrates and sodium. Often, the nutrition labels lists zero calcium, iron, protein, fat, or vitamins A and C. Some contain more vitamins, either from the aloe itself or other ingredients like lemon juice and honey. Plus, an eight-ounce serving of some brands contains up to 15 grams of sugarand no fiber.

Its basically only sugar water, Matheny said. However, he notes that thicker, gloppier aloe juice assortments generally contain more actual aloe and nutrients than the thinner, tastier ones.

Will It Help You Lose Weight ?
So how did glorified sugar water get a rep for weight loss? As it turns out, lots of common aloe juices contain aloin, a potent natural laxative. That might explain why many people who drink aloe juice swear that it’s has enabled them lose weight, Matheny said.

The aloe is probably not speeding up their metabolism or resulting in any real weight loss, ” he said. “Laxatives, like aloin, don’t result in fat loss, only loss of water weight through going to the bathroom.” Whats more, aloin has been linked to abdominal cramps, diarrhea, red urine, hepatitis, electrolyte imbalances, and rebound constipation. Lovely .

Sip Safe
OK, so it’s likely not the magic weight-loss drink you’d hoped for. But does it have other health-boosting benefits? That depends on the nutrients in the exact bottle youre buying( Matheny recommends looking for lots of fiber, vitamins, and other minerals on your nutrition label ). But, its important to outline out a few days you should never drink aloe.

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According to a review published in the Indian Journal of Dermatology , girls should never devour aloe while pregnant or breastfeeding. Theoretically, aloe can spur uterine contractions and, in breastfeeding mothers, could cause GI issues in infants. Plus, some people are actually allergic to aloe! If you’ve experienced skin irritation after applying aloe gel to sunburns or have a known allergy to aloes cousins, onion and garlic, dont sip aloe juice.

Unless you absolutely loooooove the savor of green goo, you’re better of sipping these drinks that are more effective for weight loss.

Such articles originally appeared on WomensHealthmag.com .

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