Noni Juice Consumption: Beneficial or Harmful

Introduction:

Noni juice is prepared or made from the fruit of the noni tree, the Morinda citrifolia. This tree is native to Tahiti, Hawaii, and Southeast Asia. It is also found in parts of Australia and India. Noni juice was originally popular and was known for its various systemic health benefits because of its use in traditional medicine that dates back to centuries. The noni fruit is known commonly or colloquially as the ‘Indian mulberry fruit’ with the noni tree being particularly commercially famous for its bark. The tree bark is used for preparing red and yellow dyes for clothing and is valuable in commercial manufacturing or textile industries.

It is interesting to know that not only the fruit and the bark of the tree have commercial advantages, but even the stems, leaves, bark as well as the root of the noni tree have been and are still used for manufacturing many pharmaceuticals or commercial health products that is a part of alternative or traditional medicine. Noni fruit is also known by the name ‘cheese fruit’ in some regions because of the strong smell it emanates and also because the fruits taste quite bitter. These fruits were historically a staple part of the diet in famine-hit areas. It was rather used as a famine food that became a staple in later centuries and was eventually integrated into regional diets.

The recent popularization in the 1990s when this juice was first known for being a traditional and medicinal beverage led to commercial manufacturing of worldwide products. From the year 1992 onwards, commercial and food manufacturing companies introduced the fruit form that was dehydrated into both powdered or supplement or capsule forms.

What Are the Nutritional Contents of Noni Juice?

A single ounce serving of noni juice would yield around five calories with approximately 0.03527396 ounces of carbohydrates. It can also contribute to around 10 percent of the daily recommended intake needed for vitamin C. Given below is the nutritional information for a single ounce serving of noni juice as enlisted by the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture):

• Fat: 0 ounces.

• Sodium: 0.000180 ounces.

• Carbohydrates: 0.03175 ounces.

• Fiber: 0 ounces.

• Sugars: 0.03175 ounces.

• Protein: 0 ounces.

• Total Calories: 5 calories.

• Calcium: 0.0074 ounces.

Noni juice comprises very few carbs with less than 0.03527396 ounces of naturally occurring sugar. Also, commercially available noni juice would have some added sugars or sweeteners that could increase the sugar or calorie content. It is always wise to check the nutrition or ingredient label of the product before one purchases noni juice. Added sugars and extra calories would lead to possible spikes in the blood sugar levels, especially in diabetic and prediabetic patients. Even for individuals looking forward to a healthy weight loss, consuming more calories per serving of a food can be counterproductive. It is ideal to opt for homemade versions or juices that are available in organic or specialty stores with fewer added sugars and calories.

Noni juice does not contain any fat at all as per the information given by the USDA, hence it easily fits into any low-fat diet. However, there is also no protein content in this juice. One would be consuming a lower number of calories per small portion size when drinking noni juice. In large portions or proportions, one’s calorie intake would be possibly increased.

What Are the Possible Health Benefits of Noni Juice?

• According to a 2009 major research study, noni juice can be safely consumed up to approximately 25 ounces of juice in a single day. But with each ounce added, one would be consuming almost 100 to 125 calories more. Also, if the noni juice that one commercially purchases contains high amounts of added sweeteners that are usually added for flavors, the calorie content that one gains may further increase with every extra ounce of juice.

• Preliminary research and some limited research studies exist in nutrition science to demonstrate the anti-inflammatory effects of noni juice. In these studies, the evidence is of a boost of antioxidant potential or activity in individuals regularly consuming the juice. This was particularly observed in smokers who had low antioxidant activity in their body, but post consumption of noni juice, the antioxidant activity was possibly improved, compared to placebo.

• According to traditional research, noni juice would possibly improve joint health and be useful in individuals who work out regularly or in athletes for instance who need improved exercise endurance and stability. This would possibly boost immunity as per preliminary research. However, this benefit is not supported as such by current scientific research.

• According to a 2012 study conducted by the University of Illinois, regular consumption of around one to six ounces of noni juice would not only reduce inflammation in smokers (improved effects on oral health as well) but the triglyceride content or bad cholesterol in blood would be significantly reduced as well compared to placebo.

What Are the Possible Side Effects of Noni Juice?

• Nutrition research suggests concerning evidence regarding the use of noni juice in patients suffering from liver disease or hepatitis B, hepatitis C patients, etc. This is due to the presence of anthraquinones which are a specific type of hepatotoxic compounds that are present in the noni plant. Hence, noni juice consumption is strictly contraindicated in these patients.

• In individuals suffering from renal, cardiac, or hepatic issues or those who are taking potassium-sparing diuretic drugs or ACE drugs (angiotensin-converting enzyme drugs), blood thinners, etc. noni juice is contraindicated. This may either interfere with systemic drug absorption or produce excessive potassium levels in the system (hyperkalemia) leading to fatal consequences.

• As noni juice is high in added sugar or sweetener content, it is not recommended for diabetics.

• Currently, there are many safety concerns regarding noni supplements or powders or herb forms as these do not undergo routine third-party testing or are approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) as such. The purported health benefits of supplements or powders from noni plants also need a lot of scientific investigation.

Conclusion:

Noni juice can be otherwise consumed by healthy individuals who do not have any current medication or medical history. However, the purported health claims of this juice or of the noni fruit itself have yet to be scientifically established completely because it is equally linked to potential risks or side effects as per current nutrition research. Also, it is not low in calories when portion size is increased with added sugars in commercial drinks that may be more harmful than beneficial to systemic health.