The noni tree, or Morinda citrifolia, bears fruit that has been used in traditional Polynesian medicine for centuries. Noni fruit is now becoming popular throughout the world, including the United States, for its health-boosting effects. Despite aggressive marketing of noni juice, no human studies have proven its health effects; only animal and test tube studies have been conducted. Because noni can cause potentially serious side effects and drug interactions, you should consult your doctor before taking any noni-containing supplement or juice product.
Immunostimulation & Antioxidant
Noni extracts may provide you antioxidant and immune system-boosting properties. An animal study conducted in 1993 found that noni extract enhanced immune system actions, says the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. The polysaccharide property in noni extract appears to provide immunity-boosting effects by stimulating white blood cells, explains the University of Michigan Health System. Certain constituents in noni fruit and leaves, including glycosides, have shown antioxidant effects in test tube studies published in 2001 and 2005, notes the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Also, noni extract may also offer antifungal properties. A study published in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine in 2006 found that noni extract helped to treat fungal yeast infection, Sloan-Kettering notes.
Anticancer
If you drink noni juice, you may experience cancer-fighting effects. Noni juice appears to have anticancer and anti-tumor properties. A Japanese study published in 1999 found that the polysaccharide component in noni fruit juice had anti-tumor and cancer-fighting effects in animals when taken with low doses of chemotherapy, notes the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Another 1994 study in mice found that noni had anticancer actions against lung carcinoma, says the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. A 2009 study also found that noni reduced cancer risks in cigarette smokers, proposing that noni may act to prevent cancer by stopping DNA-carcinogen binding.
Pain-Relieving
Taking noni extracts may help to relieve your pain. Noni may contain analgesic properties, which is why it's often recommended for treating pain and menstrual cramps, notes the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. A 1990 study found that noni displayed analgesic, or pain-relieving, effects in mice, says the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Sedative
Noni fruit contains damnacanthal, a compound that has sedative effects. The same animal study conducted in 1990 to investigate noni's analgesic actions also found sedative effects on the mice, says the University of Michigan Health System.
Circulatory System-Protective
If you have high blood pressure, or hypertension, atherosclerosis or a related cardiovascular condition, taking noni may help. Noni appears to block oxidation of lipoproteins, which lead to plaque buildup in the arteries, says the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. A 2004 laboratory study found that chemical constituents in noni extract may help to prevent atherosclerosis.
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