Why There's Aloe Vera in YAAY (and What It Actually Does)

Many fibre supplements use psyllium husk as the main source of fibre. You've probably noticed that YAAY has one other ingredient: aloe vera.

You probably know aloe as the stuff you put on sunburn. So why is it in a fibre capsule? Here's why we added it, what it's there to do, and what's worth knowing before you take any aloe vera supplement.

Psyllium does the heavy lifting

Let's be clear about who the star is. Psyllium husk is the main ingredient in YAAY, at 667.8mg per capsule. It's a soluble fibre that soaks up water and forms a soft gel, which helps stools stay soft, formed and easy to pass. If you want the full rundown, here's what psyllium husk is and how it works.

Aloe vera is the supporting act. Each capsule has 74.1mg of it, alongside the psyllium.

Why we pair aloe with psyllium

We include aloe vera for slip and moisture. Psyllium gives you bulk and softness, and aloe is there to help things move through comfortably. For anyone using fibre as part of their bottoming prep, comfort is the whole point.

We'd rather be straight with you about the science, though. Research on aloe and digestion is still limited. The US National Institutes of Health says there isn't yet enough reliable evidence to say whether oral aloe helps with conditions like irritable bowel syndrome. So we don't sell aloe as a cure for anything. Psyllium does the proven work, and aloe rounds out the formula. And from our own personal experience, we certainly notice a difference between pure psyllium, and that extra moisture aloe vera provides in YAAY's More Than Fibre Capsules.

 

Not all aloe is the same

An aloe leaf has distinct layers, and they behave very differently when you swallow them:

• Aloe gel is the clear inner part of the leaf. It's the part most people picture when they think of aloe.

 

• Aloe latex is a yellow layer just under the skin of the leaf. It's a strong laxative and can cause cramps and diarrhoea. In 2002, the US Food and Drug Administration required aloe latex to be removed from over-the-counter laxatives because there wasn't enough evidence it was safe.

 

• Whole-leaf extracts use the entire leaf, which can include the latex unless it's been specifically removed.

 

That’s why it’s worth checking what kind of aloe is in any supplement you take, not just whether it’s there. The aloe in YAAY is made from the inner leaf: a concentrated inner leaf juice powder. The 74.1mg in each capsule is equivalent to about 14.84g of fresh inner leaf.

Is aloe vera safe to take?

For most adults, aloe gel taken short-term appears to be safe. A few groups should check with their doctor first:

• Pregnant or breastfeeding people. Oral aloe in any form may not be safe during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

 

• People taking regular medication. Aloe can interact with some medicines, including heart medications such as digoxin.

 

• People with diabetes. Some research suggests oral aloe may lower blood sugar, so talk to your doctor if you're managing your levels with medication.

 

As with any supplement, follow the directions on the label, and talk to your GP or pharmacist if you're unsure whether it's right for you.

 

Aloe and psyllium, together

With YAAY, there's nothing to mix and nothing to measure so you can skip the morning science experiment, get your fibre in and get on with your day. Most people take 3 or 4 capsules a day with a big glass of water, all at once or split across the day. Each capsule has psyllium husk, aloe vera and the plant-based capsule shell. That's it: no sugar, sweeteners, flavours, colours, preservatives or fillers.

If you're taking fibre for prep, our Fibre for Bottoming guide shows how it fits into a routine. And you can see what's inside YAAY in full.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is there aloe vera in YAAY?

Psyllium husk does the main work of supporting regular, well-formed bowel movements. Aloe vera is added for slip and moisture, to help things move through comfortably.

Is aloe vera good for digestion?

Aloe is often promoted for digestion, but the research is still limited. The US National Institutes of Health says there isn't enough reliable evidence yet to say whether it helps with conditions like IBS. In YAAY, aloe is a supporting ingredient. Psyllium husk is the main one.

What's the difference between aloe gel and aloe latex?

Aloe gel is the clear inner part of the leaf. Aloe latex is the yellow layer under the skin, and it's a strong laxative that can cause cramps and diarrhoea. The US removed aloe latex from over-the-counter laxatives in 2002.

How much aloe vera is in YAAY?

Each capsule contains 74.1mg of concentrated inner leaf aloe vera, alongside 667.8mg of psyllium husk.

What kind of aloe vera is in YAAY?

YAAY uses aloe vera from the inner leaf, in the form of a concentrated inner leaf juice powder. It’s made in Australia at a TGA-licensed facility.

Can I take aloe vera while pregnant?

Oral aloe may not be safe during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, so check with your doctor or midwife before taking any supplement that contains it.

Try YAAY

Psyllium for the heavy lifting, aloe vera for comfort, and nothing else. Try YAAY More Than Fibre Capsules, with your first order covered by our 30-day money-back guarantee.