Aloe Vera

The Supercharged Rehydration Ingredient – an overview of the opportunity by IPS-Ingredis – the industry is expected to grow around 10% annually over the next 6-8 years.

It generally takes us around 30 seconds to assess the health of a person. We take into account skin colour and resilience, brightness of eyes, the way someone walks and how they generally hold themselves—do they look strong or fragile, active or sedentary?

We are what we eat and drink, and nowhere is this more apparent than in the colour and texture of our skin. This can be damaged by smoking or drinking alcohol, spending too long in the sun without skin protection, or consuming diuretics such as strong tea and coffee—even herbal teas with hibiscus or ginger.

In contrast, foods such as cucumber, celery, water melon, strawberries, courgettes, and cauliflower have high water content that benefits skin hydration. There is one ingredient that is particularly beneficial, and as such, has seen substantial growth in use within the health and fruit drink arena: aloe vera. 

Skin-cell nourishment

Also known as Lily of the Desert, this cactus-like plant contains the complex carbohydrate acemannan which nourishes skin cells and detoxifies. Rich in vitamins C, E and beta-carotene, and one of the few plants to contain vitamin B12, aloe vera contains proteolytic enzymes which help repair dead skin cells. The gel has been used for centuries as part of Ayurvedic medicine in the treatment of minor cuts and sores, but it is in beverages such as fruit juice, cold tea blends, yoghurt, and milk-based drinks that it is meeting the needs of millennials and health conscious consumers looking for ingredients that help the skin rehydrate naturally.

Gut-soothing rehydration

The alkaline pH balance of aloe vera makes it safe to drink first thing in the morning on an empty stomach and it has a reputation for soothing digestive complaints such as heartburn and gastric ulcers. Unlike most juices, it contains no sugar and few calories yet is rich in antioxidants, boosting immunity and energy levels. A such, the adoption of aloe vera for plant-based beverages has been substantial and looks set to continue.

Trends and availability

Trends in aloe vera beverages include ‘between meals’ drinks such as Healthy Choice After Breakfast Juice; OKF’s Alo Exposed: a clear, refreshing, juice drink with aloe vera pieces and honey, also available as Alo Light Refresh with cucumber and cantaloupe; plus Kiki Health Organic aloe ferox juice. Available in Japan is Perfect: the grape and aloe beauty drink, while others evidencing the trend include Simplee Aloe with superberries, and tea companies such as Tetley and Clipper, who are now offering green tea blends with aloe vera in teabag format. Recent additions include T’Best, Ego Drink and Alpro coconut milk yogurt drink. According to Statista, the market was worth USD1.6 billion in 2016 and is expected to be worth USD2.3 billion by 2021.

Roxanne Sagun, Trade Manager for South East Asia at IPS-Ingredis said:

“Demand in the industry is expected to grow around 10% annually over the next 6-8 years. Supply for the aloe drinks business has grown about 10-15% each year since 2014, and is expected to have similar growth for the next couple of years.”

The demand for aloe vera products continues to grow in the northern and western hemispheres, with more research-based evidence coming to light that indicates significant health and beauty benefits from this super ingredient. Though aloe vera has a naturally bitter taste, it is usually diced and blended with honey or sweeter fruits in beverages. The growing possibility of flavour infusions like these in aloe vera drinks makes it an attractive formulation for beverage companies around the world. The aloe vera ingredient is still growing in market presence and availability, so knowing where and how to source the ingredient becomes equally important in developing the right profile for shelf products.

Ross Cumming, Chief Operating Officer at IPS-Ingredis added:

“The IPS-Ingredis Digital Platform, supported by our team of international trade experts, enables global buyers to extend their reach in sourcing trending ingredients such as aloe vera, wherever they may be in the world.”

IPS-Ingredis and Aloe vera

Global trade company, IPS-Ingredis, has developed one of the very first online platforms for sourcing ingredients. The platform enables buyers anywhere in the world to access key product details and market insights that support the overall buying decision. Not only are we experiencing a global shift in consumer preferences towards healthier and alternative ingredients, but the industry is also becoming more accustomed to these modern methods of trading in raw materials. Aloe vera is one of the popular ingredients available on the IPS-Ingredis Digital Platform, with registered users having access to technical specifications and ability to submit digital quote requests 24/7.

Sourcing aloe vera and alternative ingredients worldwide has never been so convenient, with the IPS-Ingredis Digital Platform.

About IPS-Ingredis

Sourced with the utmost care to ensure the best product profile for your goods. Supplied by a team focused on the optimal way to get you what you need, quickly and reliably. IPS-Ingredis helps you secure quality ingredients, concentrates, additives, and flavours, in a cost optimized way. From anywhere around the world. Now on the first worldwide digital trading platform. Email: rushee.ramchuran@ipsingredis.com, Tel: +971 56 422 5725 www.ipsingredis.com.