People drink noni fruit juice as a general health tonic and for its purported ability to treat serious health disorders. Although laboratory studies indicate noni has potential for helping with certain health conditions, research with humans is lacking, cautions the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, or NCCAM. Consult with a qualified health care provider before supplementing with noni juice.
Identification
Noni is a small evergreen tree that grows in tropical regions of the Pacific Ocean, from Hawaii to southeast Asia to Australia. Its botanical name is Morinda citrifolia, and the tree bears yellow-white fruit that is cultivated and marketed worldwide as an alternative health remedy, most commonly taken as juice. Some distributors promote noni as a treatment for cancer, high blood pressure and chronic fatigue syndrome, notes the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
Added Substances
Manufacturers typically combine noni fruit with other juices because noni has a disagreeable flavor and odor. If you buy noni juice products, read the label to learn which other juices are included. Tahitian Noni Juice, for instance, has added grape and blueberry juice, whereas Tahiti Trader noni juice has added grape, blueberry, pear and raspberry juice along with natural flavors.
Components
As with many fruit juices, noni is a good source of vitamins and minerals, and antioxidants that have protective effects against cell damage, aging and certain diseases, explains cardiologist Thomas Behrenbeck of MayoClinic.com. The amount of vitamins and minerals in products called noni juice depends on the brand you buy. Noni itself contains glycosides such as rutin and asperulosidic acid, along with polysaccharides, caprylic acid, anthraquinones, terpenes and alkaloids.
Properties
Laboratory studies indicate that noni and its various components have antioxidant, immune-boosting, immune-regulating, anticancer and antifungal properties, according to the NCCAM and Memorial Sloan-Kettering. The NCCAM notes that further study is warranted for possible use in treating cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Caution
Noni juice has been associated with liver toxicity, which may be due to its anthraquinone components, as noted by Memorial Sloan-Kettering. Noni juice products contain high levels of potassium, which could make them unsuitable for anyone at risk of high potassium blood levels, such as people with kidney disease. The high sugar content of noni juice and the added juices also may be a problem for individuals with diabetes.
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