The noni fruit has a long history of use in Polynesian medicine for a variety of conditions, including colds, flu, high blood pressure, anxiety, depression and diabetes. Some animal and in vitro studies indicate potential health benefits, but you cannot use the results of these types of studies to draw definitive conclusions about its therapeutic actions in humans. Noni contains many beneficial nutrients, including antioxidants, and consuming it might offer good nutrition that can contribute to overall health. However, whether it will have a medicinal effect on a health problem already in progress has not been firmly established.
Heart Health
The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Drugs.com report that noni juice blocks the oxidation of LDL, or bad, cholesterol. This process causes atherosclerosis, a condition where hardened deposits form on the artery walls, leading to an increased risk of serious problems like heart attack or stroke.
Pain-Relieving Properties
Noni might help relieve pain. Drugs.com notes a study on rats that found consumption of noni preparations consisting of 10 percent or 20 percent of the fruit experienced increased pain tolerance -- 162 percent and 212 percent, respectively, compared to placebo.
Anti-Cancer Properties
Like many "miracle" supplements, noni has been touted as a treatment for cancer. The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Drugs.com and the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center note anti-cancer actions in animal studies, but again, this type of result cannot automatically be interpreted as indicating that there are benefits to people actually suffering from cancer. Some beneficial actions observed in these studies include blocking negative changes to DNA, improving survival and cure rate of animals treated with chemotherapy, encouraging destruction of cancer cells, and stimulating the production of cancer-fighting immune system cells.
Antioxidant Content and Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Noni contains antioxidants, which are substances that help reduce cell damage. A diet rich in antioxidants can contribute to overall health and might reduce the risk of several serious diseases. Drugs.com reports on in vitro studies that found noni's antioxidant activity more potent than vitamin E and vitamin C, and equal to grape seed extract. It also notes demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation can worsen painful conditions like arthritis, as well as cause damage that contributes to serious health conditions -- for example, blood vessel damage that leads to heart disease.
Considerations for Safe Use
While noni might offer potential health benefits, in some instances you should use noni with caution or avoid using it altogether. Its high sugar content, which makes the normally unpleasant-tasting fruit more palatable, could prove problematic if you have diabetes. Noni products sometimes contain high levels of potassium; if you have kidney disease, this could lead to serious and potentially deadly complications of your illness. If you take potassium-sparing diuretics, taking too much noni could lead to excessive levels of this mineral in your body. The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center notes case reports of liver toxicity. If you have liver disease, always clear the use of any supplements with your doctor. If undergoing chemotherapy treatment, talk to your doctor before using noni, as its antioxidant activity might interfere with the effectiveness of your treatments. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor about the safety of using noni.
