Noni juice is used as an alternative medicine in the United States. Other names for noni include morinda, Indian mulberry, hog apple, canary wood and Morinda citrifolia. There is anecdotal evidence regarding the health benefits of noni, but many are scientifically unsubstantiated. Noni is considered a supplement and is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Discuss adding noni juice to your diet with your physician before using.
History
According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) noni has origins in Polynesia and grows in tropical regions of the Pacific Ocean, Southeast Asia and Australia. Soldiers in the South Pacific ate the fruit of the noni plant during World War II, and Polynesians used the plant as a dye.
Traditional Uses
The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) notes that noni was traditionally used to treat wounds, infections, diarrhea and skin conditions. The College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) at the University of Hawaii also states that noni juice was used as a laxative and to treat badly infected cuts.
Health Claims
According to the CTAHR, modern health applications for noni include ADHD, addictions, allergies, arthritis, asthma, neurological disorders, burns, cancer, heart disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, digestive problems, endometriosis, fibromyalgia, gout, high blood pressure, infection, inflammation, jet lag, multiple sclerosis, muscle and joint pain, polio, rheumatism and sinus infections. The MSKCC and American Cancer Society (ACS) also note that claims have been made that noni can treat diabetes, menstrual cramps and pain, high cholesterol, HIV, psoriasis, ulcers, sprains, depression and senility. Noni juice is also sold as a stress reliever and cleanser for the face and body.
Research
The MSKCC maintains that many of the health benefits of noni are unsubstantiated; however, animal studies have shown that noni has antifungal, antitumor and immune-stimulating properties, which may have implications for treating cancer and heart disease. The National Cancer Institute and National Institutes of Health have funded studies regarding noni’s effect on breast cancer and cancer in people who smoke. The ACS states that more research is needed to confirm the effect of noni on cancer and other health conditions.
Nutritional Information
The ACS states that noni juice contains vitamin C, vitamin A and other minerals. According to the CTAHR, 100 g of noni juice contains 15.3 calories, less than 0.1 g of fat, 0.43 g of protein, 3.4 g of carbohydrate, 10.5 mg of sodium, less than 0.2 g of fiber, less than 5 IU of vitamin A, 33 mg of vitamin C and 10 mg of calcium.
Side Effects and Warnings
Noni juice products can be high in potassium and sugar, which can be detrimental to diabetics and people with kidney problems. Noni juice may be toxic to the liver, and the NCCAM warns that people with liver disease should not take it. Noni may also interfere with chemotherapy drugs and radiation therapy during cancer. Multiple companies have been warned by the FDA to stop making health claims regarding noni’s ability to cure, treat and prevent diseases due to lack of scientific proof. Individuals should consult a physician prior to taking noni juice due to the risk of side effects and medication interactions.
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