Noni is a fruit from the morinda citrifolia tree or shrub that is native to Australia, Polynesia and Asia. It grows 7 to 22 feet high and bears potato size yellow-white fruit with an unpleasant odor. This fruit has been used for thousands of years by Polynesians to treat several medical disorders, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. It is widely available as a juice, concentrate and capsule.
Nutritious
A 100g, 1/2 cup serving of pure noni fruit juice grown in Hawaii contains 15 calories, 10.5mg of sodium, 0.43g of protein, 33.5mg of vitamin C and 10mg of calcium. According to Drugs.Com, the fruit also contain hexoic and octoic acids, paraffin and esters of ethyl and methyl alcohols. It also contains an alkoloid xeronine. Some brands contain other fruits and ingredients to improve the flavor and will change the nutritional values.
Anti-Cancer Properties
Noni is believed to provide anti-cancer properties. Research published in the December 2001, issue of "Annals of the New York Academy of Science" conducted by M.Y. Wang and C. Su indicated that drinking 10 percent Tahitian noni juice mixed with water and taken for a week was able to prevent some cancer activity as it relates to DNA mutations. It is believed to come about due to the noni's antioxidant property. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, noni demonstrates antioxidant, tumor fighting and immune-stimulating properties in laboratory tests.
Stimulates the Immune System
In folk medicine, noni is believed to be a treatment for a wide variety of disorders, including the enhancement of the immune system. A study published in the July 2010, issue of "Pharmaceutical Biology" conducted by S. Nayak and S. Mengi concluded that noni fruit extract provided both cellular and humoral immunostimulant properties.
References
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Noni
- PubMed.Gov: Cancer Preventive Effect of Morinda Citrifolia (Noni)
- American Cancer Society: Noni Plant
- PubMed.Gov: Studies on Antidyslipidemic Effects of Morinda Citrifolia (Noni) Fruit, Leaves and Root Extracts
- PubMed.Gov: Immunostimulant Activity of Noni (Morinda Citrifolia) on T and B lymphocytes
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