Noni leaves

Noni is a little known fruit that is about the size of a potato. If you have ever held one in your hands, you will have noticed that it has a particularly unpleasant smell. In terms of appearance, it has a light green colour and the inside of the fruit is whitish. The scientific name for the noni is Morinda Citrifolia.

Noni was originally called "nono" or "dog-apple" and traces of its consumption can be found as far back as several centuries ago. Although it was only popularised and marketed in the 1990s, the benefits of Noni have been used for a long time. It seems that the roots, leaves and bark of the tree from which the fruit comes have been used for thousands of years, also for their impressive medical properties. In total, more than forty remedies are said to have been concocted from this simple plant thousands of years ago.

In the past, most people consumed Noni as leaves, bark or roots, but nowadays it is possible to find it in juice form, making it much easier to consume. One of the most important elements in the composition of Noni is xeronine. This chemical compound, which is also found in pineapple, is said to have a positive effect on our body. It seems that xeronine has the ability to strengthen the structure of our cells and to concentrate the energy in the water in our body. This was confirmed by a study conducted by Neil Salomon.

To fight bacterial, viral, parasitic or fungal infections; to prevent the formation or proliferation of tumours; to relieve rheumatism and arthritis; to treat menstrual disorders. External use: treatment of wounds, sores and inflammation. There is insufficient data to suggest a dosage for traditional uses and for claims of new uses of extracts and juice of Noni that are commercially available. The Polynesians are thought to make a medicinal use of noni for over 2,000 years. Traditionally, all parts of the plant are used: leaves, roots, bark, flowers and fruits. About forty traditional remedies containing one or other of the plant's parts have been identified. The external uses include mainly the treatment of wounds, sores and inflammation. The internal use They include rheumatism, arthritis, menstrual disorders, sore throats, diarrhoea, cancer, immune system stimulation, bacterial, viral, parasitic or fungal infections, etc. . Although ripe noni fruit has an unpleasant smell, several European explorers reported that Polynesians consumed it, especially in times of famine. The noni juice and concentrate have usually been processed to mask the smell of the fruit. The noni dry extractsThis disadvantage can also be overcome with the use of a capsule or tablet.

The noni juice Noni has grown considerably as a result of multi-level network campaigns promoting it as a panacea: sales in the US have increased from 33 million $ US per year in 1999 to 250 million $ US in 2007. Noni is commercially grown in the Pacific Islands, such as Tahiti and Hawaii, as well as in Australia and, more recently, in Florida. All distributors of noni juice claim on their websites or advertising leaflets that their product can alleviate or cure many diseases such as cancer and diabetes, as well as hypertension, allergies, migraines, Alzheimer's disease, fibromyalgia, arthritis and obesity... None of these claims are based on good clinical data.

In 2002, a European scientific committee considered a marketing authorisation application submitted by the manufacturer of Tahitian Noni® Juice. The committee did not oppose the sale of noni in Europe, but stated: "Although some nutritional benefits are attributed to noni juice, the data reviewed by the Committee provided no evidence that these benefits are superior to those of other fruit juices.¹ Noni has been permitted for sale in Europe since 2003, where any new food or ingredient must be approved before it can be marketed.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding. Although no adverse effects have been reported regarding noni consumption during pregnancy or breastfeeding, some sources believe that pregnant and breastfeeding women should refrain from consuming it. It should be noted that Polynesian women traditionally drank noni juice to replenish their strength after childbirth, i.e. during the breastfeeding period. On the other hand, the leaves and fruit have been used traditionally to induce menstruation and for their abortifacient effect (doses not specified). Liver toxicity. From liver disorders have been reported in people who have drunk noni juice^19-21,40. But in 2006, a European scientific panel concluded that normal consumption of noni juice is unlikely to cause liver damage²². A later study came to the same conclusions⁴¹. Concerns had been raised about the possible presence of liver and DNA damaging substances (anthraquinones) in noni juicebecause the roots of the tree contain them. But there are no anthraquinones in the juice of noni, according to a toxicological analysis published in 2007.

Potassium-sparing diuretics (triamterene, spironolactone, etc.) The potassium provided by noni juice, which contains as much as orange and tomato juice, could modify the blood level of potassium controlled by this type of diuretic. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI: enalapril, lisinopril, etc.). Theoretically, consumption of noni juice, which is comparable in potassium content to orange and tomato juice, could increase blood potassium levels because these drugs reduce potassium excretion. Warfarin. By stimulating the detoxifying effect of the liver, fruit consumption could reduce the effects of warfarin, a synthetic anticoagulant. Only one case has been reported so far. Our nutritionist's opinion: Exotic fruit juices such as acai, goji, mangosteen and noni are associated with exceptional health benefits by their manufacturers and distributors. However, to date, no good quality clinical trials confirming these claims have been published.

The high price of these juices and the lack of reliable clinical data do not justify adding them to our diet at this time. Moreover, we already have access to a wide variety of local fruits and vegetables, many of which have clinically proven beneficial properties and high antioxidant value: blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, broccoli, tomatoes, onions, for example. The best fountain of youth is found in our daily actions to take care of our health, not in one food.