Effects of Intake of Milk Enriched with &lt;i&gt;Aloe vera&lt;/i&gt; on Patients with Gastrointestinal Reflux Disease
Background: Aloe vera has been used by many civilizations throughout history due to the numerous properties attributed. Gastro oesophageal reflux disease is a common disorder with consequences for the patient’s health related quality of life. Aims: The purpose of this study was to assess the benefits of the Aloe vera in 80 patients with gastro oesophageal reflux. Methods: This is probably the first randomised and double-blind trail ever performed on this subject. The study included eight weeks of treatment with milk enriched with Aloe vera or placebo. Data of diet (frequency questionnaire), symptoms (gastrointestinal symptom rating scale) and quality of life (quality of life in reflux and disease) were obtained. Results: So far, there has been hardly any proof that Aloe vera decreases symptoms of reflux disease; on the contrary, a lower percentage of remission of pain is observed among the Aloe vera group. As long as its effectiveness has not been proven properly, the use of Aloe vera in reflux disease cannot be recommend. Conclusion: Aloe vera does not have a beneficial effect on reflux disease under the study conditions.