Morinda citrifolia is cultivated throughout the Polynesian islands and marketed as noni. Noni is available in juice, capsules and powder. The substance is promoted as beneficial for immune system function and for disorders such as chronic fatigue syndrome, high blood pressure and cancer. Research with humans is lacking, and no reliable clinical evidence indicates that noni can prevent or treat any disease, states the American Cancer Society. Noni is associated with certain negative effects, so consult a qualified health care provider before consuming noni juice or noni supplements.
High Sugar Content Effects
Noni juice is high in sugar and some noni juice products contain other juices that also are high in sugar. If you have diabetes, be cautious about how much noni you consume; you may need to check your blood sugar more closely. Due to its sugar content, noni juice also may cause weight gain or prevent weight loss.
Hyperkalemia
Noni juice contains a significant amount of potassium, which may be a problem if you have kidney disease, because impaired kidneys have trouble removing excess potassium from the blood. High potassium intake also is a concern if you take certain medications that cause the body to retain potassium. Some of these medications include potassium-sparing diuretics, and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers used for treating disorders such as high blood pressure. Excess blood potassium can cause fatigue, weakness, nausea, vomiting and unexplained tingling or numb sensations. It also may cause more serious negative effects such as an irregular heart rhythm, difficulty breathing and paralysis. High blood potassium levels can lead to life-threatening complications.
Liver Effects
Chemical compounds in noni may worsen liver disease, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. A small number of cases involving liver problems associated with noni consumption have been reported in European countries, says the American Cancer Society. One person with previous liver damage needed a liver transplant, but the others recovered after discontinuing noni.
Therapy Interactions
Noni has antioxidant effects. Although this is generally beneficial, antioxidant supplements can interfere with chemotherapy and radiation therapy used to treat cancer, according to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Consult your doctor before consuming noni if you are receiving any of these therapies.
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