Are Noni Fruit Juice Actually Beneficial?

Are Noni Fruit Juice Actually Beneficial?

Noni fruit

Scientific name: Morinda citrifolia Lin

Family: Rubiaceae

Local names: Matasuea, Yor Ban, Yae Yai

The Noni fruit found in Thailand is of the same genus and species as the Tahitian Noni, which is sold worldwide. They are considered to be the same variety, though there might be some differences, similar to the variations between the Golden Pillow and Long Stem durians. It's impossible to say which variety is better.

Noni fruit has nutritional benefits, as it is rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and potassium. Moreover, it has antioxidant properties that help delay cell aging and fight cancer.

Can Noni Fruits Treat Various Diseases?

There is not an abundance of research on Noni fruit. The most research has been conducted by medical faculties in Tahiti. However, these studies have not been widely accepted in the medical field, as they could be biased due to the promotion of the country's business interests. To gain acceptance, more well-designed studies must be published in reputable medical journals and replicated with consistent results.

Some websites report individual cases of Noni consumption leading to reduced high blood pressure, increased energy levels, reduced inflammation, and assistance in treating colds, pain relief, cancer, AIDS, and lowering blood fat levels. These reports come from some doctors or nutritionists but are not widely accepted in the medical field because there is no conclusive research yet. However, these websites often promote Noni products for business purposes.

Existing Research

A search of medical libraries and Medline search found only about 20 reports worldwide, with three interesting findings:

1. Noni fruit contains Polysaccharide (noni PPt), which has anti-cancer effects on Lewis lung carcinoma and extends the life of mice with this cancer. However, there is no research on humans yet (Phytother Res 1999).
2. Noni may help prevent cancer due to its antioxidant properties by reducing DMBA-DNA adduct formation and other mechanisms. However, there are no human reports on Noni consumption leading to lower cancer rates or treating cancer, unlike garlic, which has epidemiological reports indicating lower rates of stomach, esophageal, and colon cancer in garlic consumers. Garlic extracts also inhibit various types of cancer cells.

Precautions

Noni juice is high in potassium (about 56 meq/L), similar to orange juice and tomato juice. There are reports of people with chronic kidney disease experiencing dangerously high potassium levels after consuming Noni juice, so they should avoid it. In Thailand, there are reports of patients recovering from malaria experiencing less nausea and vomiting after treatment with dried Noni tea compared to metoclopramide and Chinese tea. However, this is not the same as consuming fresh Noni juice.

In conclusion, Noni fruit is a beneficial fruit rich in Vitamin C, potassium, Vitamin A, and antioxidants, which help delay aging and fight cancer. In principle, it should have some cancer prevention properties, similar to eating a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. Noni juice has shown to inhibit Lewis lung carcinoma cells, but this type of cancer is rare. Consuming Noni juice is not harmful, except for patients with kidney diseases. Thai Noni may not differ significantly from foreign Noni varieties, as they are the same species.

With best wishes from Viphavadi Hospital.

Source: Thaiclinic.com