Noni Berries: Not so Delicious, but Quite Nutricious!

Noni: Morinda citrifolia, commonly called Indian mulberry or cheese fruit, is one strange looking fruit.  Plus, its taste is bitterly bizarre and enhanced by an odoriferous note.  It comes from the same plant family as the tree that grows coffee beans (Rubiaceae).  This small tropical Asian evergreen tree has been revered for generations.

Its fruit, roots, and leaves have been used for over 2000 years in Polynesian folk medicine.  In addition, it was used historically as a “starvation food,” when food supplies were low.  It may have been chosen as a last resort because if its bitter taste and pungent aroma.  Smell and taste aside, it contains small amounts of very important vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.  Further, there could be key health benefits to eating noni.

Hint: To tone down the stinky cheese flavor of noni juice…

• Mix it with equal parts apple or grape juice.  Then it will taste more sweet.
• Add a small amount to a smoothie.  This will disguise the flavor.
• Or, pretend like you are a cowboy drinking whiskey.  Pour a shot glass full.  Take a fast and furious swig.  Then, get back on your horse.

Possible Medical Benefits

Noni fruit has been a valued medicinal plant for centuries.  In recent years, noni’s use as a botanical health supplement has grown staggeringly.  As a result, multiple scientific research studies have been conducted.  A variety of studies are getting closer to determining the medical benefits of this unusual plant.  Listed below is a brief review of some research.  The number of human studies and sample sizes are small, but results are significant.  Thus, more human studies are warranted and necessary.

Energy Boosting

Polynesians have been eating this plant’s fruit, leaves, and roots since ancient times.  Their people touted a boost of energy with the fruit.  There are a few modern studies that may help substantiate this use.  In one study, drinking noni juice twice a day increased endurance in athletes (1).  In a study with rodents, ingestion resulted in reduced fatigue and increased physical performance (2).

Immunity Boosting

Perhaps drinking a few ounces of noni juice each day can help fight off common human infections.  Studies have demonstrated the immunity boosting and antimicrobial actions of this plant’s extracts.  Studies found were in vitro and in vivo.

• This study demonstrated immunity boosting effects of Morinda citrifolia both in vitro and in vivo (3).
• Particles from M. citrifolia extracts were inhibitory against major human pathogens. These included:  E. coli, K. pneumoniae, and more (4).
• In another study, the antibacterial and antifungal activity of M. citrifolia was demonstrated against multiple tested organisms (5).

Reduced Nausea

In a study of 100 patients, taking a dose 1 hour before surgery resulted in significantly less post operative nausea (6).

Joint Pain

A few small human studies have shown that drinking noni juice may help reduce joint pain and improve flexibility.  This may be related to an anti-inflammatory effect.  Larger sized human studies are needed.

• One study included 90 patients with neck pain.  Flexibility improved and pain reduced significantly with the noni group (7).
• In a 3 month study of adults with osteoarthritis, drinking noni daily improved symptoms (8).

Oral Health

In one study, noni extracts were antimicrobial against bacteria commonly on the teeth (9).   In another study, noni fruit had an antibacterial effect against oral bacteria (10).  Thus, it can’t hurt to give this juice an extra swoosh around the inside of your mouth before swallowing. (However, with noni being such an acquired taste, you may prefer the cowboy approach!)

Weight Loss

In a small study with 22 overweight participants, a noni supplement was taken for 12 weeks.  This was coupled with exercise.  There was a significantly improved body composition and demonstrated weight loss (11).  More human studies are needed.

Cancer Fighting

Morinda citrifolia extracts may help fight certain types of cancer.  While more research is necessary, a 2012 article reviewed several in vivo and in vitro studies on noni against cancer (12).

Anti-Diabetic

Morinda citrifolia juice had an antidiabetic effect in rats (13).  In a small human study, the fruit juice was ingested for 2 months by diabetic patients.  It helped lower blood sugar levels (14).  More human studies are needed.

Possible Contraindications

Noni is high in potassium.  Thus, avoid with a potassium restricted diet.  Further, large amounts or prolonged use may cause liver damage.  Also, avoid during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and with kidney or liver problems.  M. citrifiolia may interfere with certain medications.  Consult your Doctor with questions (15).  Click here to read more about possible contraindications:  WebMD.

References

1. Palu, A., Seifulla, R., & West, B. (2008). Morinda citrifolia improves athlete endurance. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research.
2. Ma, D., et al. (2007). Evaluation of the ergogenic potential of noni juice. Phytotherapy Research.
3. Palu, A., et al. (2008). The effects of Morinda citrifolia on the immune system. Journal of Ethnopharmacology.
4. Sathishkumar, G., et al. (2012). Phyto-synthesis of silver nanoscale particles using Morinda citrifolia… Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces.
5. Jayaraman, S., Manoharan, M. , & Illanchezian, S. (2008). Antibacterial, antifungal and tumor cell suppression potential of Morinda citrifolia… International journal of integrative biology.
6. Prapaitrakool, S., & Itharat, A. (2011). Morinda citrifolia for prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting. Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand.
7. Akinbo S., Noronha C., Okanlawon A., Denesi M. (2006). Comparative study of the effect of Morinda citrifolia… Niger. J. Health Biomed. Sci.
8. Wang, M., et al. (2011). Morinda citrifolia improves the Quality of Life in adults with Osteoarthritis. Functional Foods in Health and Disease.
9. Murray, P., et al. (2008). Evaluation of Morinda citrifolia as an endodontic irrigant. Journal of endodontics.
10. Kumarasamy, B., et al. (2014). Role of aqueous extract of Morinda citrifolia ripe fruits in inhibiting dental… Journal of Dentistry.
11. Palu, A., West, B. , & Jensen, J. (2011). Noni-based nutritional supplementation and exercise… North American journal of medical sciences.
12. Brown, A. (2012). Anticancer activity of Morinda citrifolia fruit: a review. Phytotherapy Research.
13. Horsfal, A., Olabiyi, O., Osinubi, A., Noronha, C., & Okanlawon, A. (2008). Anti diabetic effect of fruit juice of Morinda citrifolia… Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences.
14. Algenstaedt, P., Stumpenhagen, A., & Westendorf, J. (2018). The Effect of Morinda citrifolia Fruit Juice on Blood Sugar… Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
15. WebMD: Noni.  Retrieved in December, 2018.  Retrieved from:  https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-758/noni.

Noni

It may taste bitter and smell foul, but its good for you!

Click here for more information and more detailed reference citations on noni: Morinda citrifolia Research.

Blog by: Kathy Sadowski, MS in Aromatherapy, RA (ARC), Professinal NAHA and AIA Member, LMT

Posted: 12/18/18