The Noni is also called “Morinda citrifolia” and it’s a tree in the coffee family, Rubiaceae. Its native range extends through Southeast Asia and Australasia, and the species is now cultivated throughout the tropics and widely naturalised.
It is green at first, then turns yellow as it ripens, giving off a pungent odor. Weaver ants are attracted to it, which protects the plant from plant-parasitic insects.
Since thousands of years, the natural healing power of noni juice has been esteemed for its ability to keep the skin healthy, boost energy levels and prevent general body weakness, accelerates wound healing and toughens the immune defense system of the body.
Despite its strong smell and bitter taste, the fruit is nevertheless eaten as a famine food and, in some Pacific islands, even a staple food, either raw or cooked. Southeast Asians and Australian Aborigines consume the fruit raw with salt or cook it with curry. The seeds are edible when roasted.
Health Benefits of Noni Juice
Antioxidant potential: Noni juice has a tremendous anti-oxidative potential which seeks out for the oxygen free radicals and neutralize their negative effects. A research conducted on the patients with heavy smoking habits making them vulnerable to many diseases have advocated the protective effect of noni juice in improving the radical scavenging potential of their bodies and providing relief from the diseases caused by oxidative stress.
Cancer: The anti-cancer qualities of noni juice have been traditionally trusted and advocated by the modern science. Various clinical and laboratory research have suggested the chemo-preventive properties of noni juice in the prevention of various cancers such as lung cancer, liver cancer and renal cancer owing to the abundance of healing antioxidants. As supported by another scientific finding, effectiveness of noni juice in reducing the risk of cancer attributes to its ability to block the carcinogen-DNA binding and prevent adduct formation. Furthermore evidences have revealed the efficacy of noni juice in retarding the tumor growth in mammary glands by significantly decreasing the weight and volume of the tumors in the subjects.
Antispasmodic effect on muscles: Consumption of noni juice may help create a relaxing effect on the muscles. Research studies have revealed the antispasmodic properties of noni juice possibly attributing to the blockade of voltage-dependent calcium channels and secretion of intracellular calcium content in the body. It helps in suppressing the muscles spasms and soothes the associated pain and discomfort.
Cardiovascular health: Noni juice may prove valuable in maintaining cardiovascular health. Noni juice exerts dilating effects on the blood vessels by comforting the smooth muscles cells within the cells walls resulting in a better flow of blood in the arteries. This vasodilating effect of noni juice helps regulate the blood pressure and assists in maintaining a healthy heart. Furthermore, research has demonstrated the positive effects of noni juice on the lipid profiles which are again a major aspect in the maintenance of cardiac health. It may benefit in reducing the LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, total cholesterol content, homocysteine and improves HDL (good) cholesterol levels in the body.
General body fatigue: Noni juice is a time-honored medicine and was traditionally used by Polynesians to combat general body weakness and advancing quality of life and energy levels. Various clinical researches and studies have shown the ergogenic qualities of noni juice which helps in enhancing the tolerance, elasticity and overall physical performance of the body.
Liver protection: Noni fruit is also known for its effectiveness in protecting against the liver diseases. As supported by research study, noni juice exercises hepato-protective effects on the liver which assists in protecting the organ from exposures to chronic exogenous chemicals and defends against major illnesses like liver damage.
Anti-psychotic qualities: Noni juice has been historically utilized for treating a range of ailments including the disorders related to central nervous system. Studies investigating the anti-psychotic effects of noni juice have shown significant improvement in the subjects especially with respect to their behavioral issues and have demonstrated its huge potential to be used in curing psychiatric disorders. Additionally, noni juice has also been suggested to have therapeutic effect on the brain damage attributing to the curing power of natural chemical components. It may assist in preventing cerebral ischemic stress without affecting the efficacy of good enzymes and antioxidants functioning in the body.
Arthritis: Healing powers of noni juice brings relief in inflammatory conditions such as arthritis. Scientific evaluation has provided qualitative evidence regarding the analgesic traits of noni juice which helps in alleviating pain and sensitivity thereby, reducing the joint destruction implicated in the painful arthritis. The study also suggested that the remedial efficacy of noni juice is at par with some of the well-known commercially available analgesic drugs.
Aid for memory impairment: Noni juice may exert protective effect in curing the problems of memory impairment. Research studies conducted on subjects with weakened memory functions have suggested that consumption of noni juice encourages cerebral blood flow and helps improve memory functions.
Diabetes: Diabetic individuals may also benefit from the healing power of Morinda citrifolia or noni extracts. This has been proven by a research study which has shown the effectiveness of noni juice as a remedial herb for reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes. Scientific evidence has testified that consumption of noni juice helps in reducing the level of glycosylated hemoglobin, serum triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the body. In addition to this, it works towards enhancing insulin sensitivity and stimulates the uptake of glucose.
Healthy skin: Noni juice may be regarded as a natural aid in beauty and skin care. Studies suggest that noni juice is rich in protective chemical constituents, anthraquinones which exert collagen stimulating effects and prevents the formation of wrinkles on the skin surface. Anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory properties of noni juice work at the cellular levels and are useful in curing various skin disorders including acne, burns, allergic skin reactions and hives holistically. The presence of essential fatty acids and high concentration of biochemical component proxeronine, which is a precursor to the alkaloid xeronine in noni juice supports efficient functioning of cell membranes, tends to normalize abnormal cells and help restores young and healthy skin.
Gastric emptying: Noni juice may prove useful through its impact on the gastric emptying process in which the food exits the stomach and enters the duodenum. The results from a study conducted on noni juice revealed that phytonutrients present in noni juice delays the gastric emptying which slows down the digestion resulting in slow discharge of sugars in the bloodstream. The study also suggests that noni juice stimulates the release of digestive enzymes, cholecystokinin without altering the volume of urine, feces and intestinal transit.
Wound healing: The juice of Morinda citrifolia or noni is effectual in speeding up healing of wounds. Research study evaluating the wound curing properties of noni juice has revealed positive results with respect to the increase in the weight of the granulation tissues, functioning of collagen and hydroxyproline and protein content. As mentioned above, noni juice helps in reducing the blood sugar levels in the body which can also be correlated to the accelerated wound healing process.
Stronger immune defense: Strengthened immune system is yet another benefit of noni juice which accentuates its credibility. Since the earlier times noni juice has been valued for its effectiveness in fighting infections and other ailments attributing to the presence of valuable polysaccharides. These helpful components stimulate the activity of white blood cells which play an important role in exerting such protective effect. Scopoletin present in noni juice possess anti-bacterial, antimutagenic, anti-inflammatory, antifungal and anti-histamine properties which significantly contribute in sustaining the immune defense mechanism of the body.