Noni fruit grows on the Morinda citrifolia plant in the South Pacific and in areas of Asia, Australia, the Caribbean and South America. Polynesian folk remedy practitioners used the leaves, bark, fruit and juice for a variety of therapies, including infection, inflammation, cramps, arthritis and toothache. Marketers of noni juice claim it offers many health benefits as a nutritional supplement. Its supposed therapeutic indications include cancer, diabetes, HIV infection, allergies and chronic inflammation, although scientific studies do not back all these claims. Promoters of noni juice also assert it may aid in weight loss efforts.
History of Noni
Noni has been part of Polynesian culture for hundreds of years. Soldiers stationed in the South Pacific during World War II became familiar with the fruit; however, it wasn’t until the 1990s that noni grew in popularity in the U.S. as a nutritional supplement. The American Cancer Society reports that, in 1998, several states filed charges against some noni juice manufacturers and distributors for making unfounded claims that the juice could prevent, treat or cure disease. In the 2000s, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration also warned several noni juice companies against making such claims.
Noni Production
One method for extracting juice from the noni fruit involves soaking the fruit in water until the noni fruit decomposes, states Dr. Will McClatchey of the University of Hawaii’s Department of Botany and Cancer Research. Manufacturers often combine the resulting juice with other juices to mask noni’s disagreeable odor and taste. In addition to juice, noni is available as an extract or powder for consumption as is or for mixing with other foods or beverages.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Noni
Noni juice contains potassium, vitamin A, vitamin C and trace minerals. It is high in sugar, making it a good energy source. Noni, as with many fruits, is a rich source of antioxidants that promote strong and healthy cells. However, the high potassium content of noni juice may be contraindicated if you suffer from kidney disease or take medications for high blood pressure that cause your body to conserve potassium. Additionally, the high sugar content may provide unwanted calories to your daily diet, hindering weight loss efforts.
Noni for Cancer and Weight Loss
Among other health claims, noni is touted as effective against cancer and obesity. As a treatment for cancer, noni shows promising results in preliminary studies on cancer cells in the laboratory, according to McClatchey. Whether these results carry over to humans remains to be seen. No credible evidence exists for noni juice’s efficacy as a weight loss supplement, however. According to the Noni Juice Advisor website, Dr. Neil Solomons claims 72 percent of noni users “lost some weight.” However, he offers no scientific studies to back this claim, and McClatchey labels the weight loss allegation for noni juice to be so vague it is meaningless.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
Jenny Mulligan - A longtime Seattle resident, Jenny Mulligan writes on health and fitness topics, with a special interest in science-based nutrition.
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