The numerous health benefits of noni

 

Noni fruit, an ancient Polynesian healing remedy, has at least 77 potential health benefits backed by recent scientific evidence.

Noni, a fruit grown from the Morinda citrifolia tree and a member of the coffee family, is a tropical fruit native to the Pacific Islands. Noni has been used for thousands of years as a natural healing remedy. In recent years, however, noni’s extract and juices have been proven to lower blood pressure, improve immunity, speed wound healing and increase physical endurance, among other health benefits.

10 Top Benefits of Noni Fruit

Noni’s potential therapeutic benefits are diverse, but here are 10 benefits of noni juice that have been well researched:

1. Noni Reduces the Risk of Gout

Gout is a painful form of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid in the joints. Noni juice lowers uric acid in the blood, reducing buildup and preventing the occurrence of gout. Noni juice has also been shown to inhibit the activity of xanthine oxidase, an enzyme that increases inflammation in the joints. For these reasons, noni juice is considered a powerful therapeutic and preventative measure against gout.

2. Noni Has Potent Anti-Inflammatory Properties

The high amount of flavonoids and coumarins (a type of phytochemical used to prevent degenerative diseases) contained in noni juice exhibit anti-inflammatory properties, making noni juice a powerful antidote for inflammation.

Similarly, noni fruit juice has been shown to inhibit cytokines related to intestinal inflammation, reduce systemic inflammation in cigarette smokers and those exposed to secondhand smoke, and decrease inflammation related to osteoarthritis.

3. Noni Juice Aids in Weight Management
Obesity levels in the U.S. have reached unprecedented levels. While unhealthy weight can cause a myriad of health problems including metabolic dysfunction and diabetes, many diet and exercise programs promote unsafe methods for weight management.

Recently, Morinda citrifolia (noni) has been researched as a potential weight management supplement. In multiple studies, morinda citrifolia supplementation had positive effects on the regulation of body weight and fat deposits while improving metabolic pathways. Furthermore, noni supplementation did not suppress appetite or produce any negative side effects.

4. Noni Juice Has Antioxidant Effects

Noni juice has significant antioxidant activity, which likely comes from its high concentration of phenolic compounds and vitamin C. Phenolic compounds are most abundant in fruits and vegetables and are responsible for protecting the body from oxidative stress. Vitamin C also acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells from free radicals that scavenge the body by neutralizing free radicals.

5. Noni Improves and Increases Immune Function

The immune-activating effects of noni juice have been observed in several studies, partially due to the high antioxidant effects of noni juice. In one study, eight weeks of noni juice consumption led to a decrease in malondialdehyde, a marker of oxidative stress, and increased levels of IFN-gamma, a cytokine responsible for stimulating immune response.

Research indicates that noni consumption may modulate and regulate the immune system by activating various immune responses in healthy individuals.

6. Noni Consumption Maintains Bone Density

Osteoporosis, which reduces the density and quality of bone health, is a serious health concern, especially in postmenopausal women. In several studies, women taking noni juice experienced decreased bone resorption (the breakdown of bone tissue) and better bone health.

In other studies, noni improved bone regeneration and increased bone marrow proliferation in estrogen-deficient rats. These results indicate that noni juice could provide powerful benefits to aging and menopausal women at risk for osteoporosis.

7. Noni Extract May Lower Pain Associated With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Pain from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can be debilitating and decrease quality of life amongst arthritis patients. Hydrocortisone, a topical steroid medication, is often used to decrease pain in patients with RA. Noni has powerful anti-inflammatory effects that could help reduce RA pain and is as effective in pain management and joint destruction as hydrocortisone.

8. Noni Juice Consumption Lowers Blood Pressure

A human study of the effect of noni juice on blood pressure confirmed that consumption of noni juice lowers both systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Additionally, participants experienced a reduction in heart rate and blood glucose levels, which may contribute to lowered blood pressure.

9. Noni Leaf Has Proven Wound-Healing Benefits

Used in Polynesian medicine for thousands of years as a traditional treatment of wounds, bruises and cuts, it’s no surprise that noni extract contains high amounts of Nrf2, a protein that plays an important role in wound healing.

In several studies, noni leaf extract accelerated wound healing in mice and rats and reduced would closure time by half. Researchers theorize that the high amount of ethanol contained in noni leaf is responsible for the faster healing.

10. Noni Reduces Stress and Improves Cognitive Function
Recent studies indicate that noni may protect the brain from stress-related impairment of cognitive function by preventing decreases in blood-vessel density in the brain. Noni is also known to improve brain energy metabolism and may have neuroprotective effects, leading to reduced cognitive impairment.

66 More Reasons to Love Noni

In addition to these 10 benefits, noni has been shown to have positive effects on at least 66 more of the following conditions.

Oxidative stress
Dyslipidemias
Nicotine/Tobacco toxicity
Smoking
C-Reactive protein
Leishmaniasis
Nausea: post-operative
Post-operative recovery
Breast cancer
Carcinoma: Non-small-cell lung
Lung cancer
Athletic performance
DNA damage
Athletic performance: Recovery
Brain ischemia
Breast cancer: Triple negative
Cancer metastasis
Cancers: All
Candida infection
Cardiovascular disease
Cerebral ischemia
Chemically-induced liver damage
Chemotherapy-induced liver toxicity
Cholesterol: LDL/HDL ratio
Cognitive decline/dysfunction
Colitis
Diabetes mellitus: Type 1
Gastric ulcer
Gastroesophageal reflux
HDL: Low
High cholesterol
High fat diet
Hyperglycemia
Hyperlipidemia
Hypertension
Lipopolysaccharide-induced toxicity
Liver cancer
Liver fibrosis
Memory disorders
Neurodegeneration: Dentate gyrus
Parasitic diseases
Parkinson’s disease
Prenatal nutrition
Sarcoma
Tumors
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
Advanced glycation end products
Anxiety disorders
Aspergillosis
Cholera
Colorectal cancer
Dental caries
Enterococcus infections
Epstein-Barr virus infections
Gastrointestinal inflammation
Generalized anxiety disorder
Gram-positive bacterial infections
Hepatitis C
Inflammatory bowel diseases
Laryngeal cancer
Liposarcoma
Metabolic diseases
Neuroblastoma
Streptococcus infections
Tuberculosis
Vibrio infections

More research is being done to assess the optimal dosage of noni extract for each specific condition, but it’s clear from current data that noni has powerful medicinal benefits that warrant further study.

Is Noni Safe?

To test the safety of noni juice, researchers have conducted numerous tests, none of which have found any adverse effects of noni juice consumption. In one double-blind study, participants consumed between 30 milliliters (mL) and 750 mL of noni juice daily for 28 days, and experienced fewer adverse effects than the placebo group.

Similarly, researchers tested the safety of noni juice in pregnant women and found no harmful side effects – in fact, noni juice facilitated fetal development and seemed to increase maternal health. Based on these studies, noni juice is currently considered a safe medicinal treatment and has been declared a ‘novel food’ by the European Union and a ‘nutritional supplement’ in the U.S.

How to Safely Incorporate Noni Juice Into Your Diet

To safely incorporate noni juice into your diet and reap its full benefits, consider buying an organic and 100% pure noni juice with no added sugars or filler ingredients. As always, start with small doses and be aware of any side effects you experience. As with any food, it’s best to enjoy noni juice in moderation. Finally, listen to your body to determine if any new food or supplement is right for you

 

yogaesoteric
March 25, 2020

 

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