Noni is a small greenish white tropical fruit about the size of a potato, high in antioxidants, and is primarily found in the South Pacific.  For centuries, the noni fruit has been an antioxidant rich resource considered to have healthful benefits by generations of Tahitians.

Human clinical trials have been conducted by the company that brought noni to the western world, and more are also underway, into its effects on the immune system, the cardiovascular system, energy and athletic performance.Unprocessed noni fruit is quite high in vitamin C. In fact it is many times higher than the navel orange, 158 mg/100g vs. 59.1 mg/100 (Peerzada et al. Journal of Plant Nutrition 13(7):787-793; USDA Nutrient Database).

Food safety laws require noni fruit juice to be pasteurized. As with orange juice, this will reduce the vitamin C content, due to this vitamin being very heat sensitive. Commercial orange juice producers will often add ascorbic acid into the juice in order to maintain vitamin C levels. Addition of ascorbic acid is not a part of the processing of TAHITIAN NONI™ Juice, the principle noni product available for human consumption. Vitamin C is not the only significant antioxidant in noni fruit/noni juice. Other antioxidant phytochemicals are present in the juice, which are classified as flavonoids, lignans, and iridoids. Some of these have only been found to occur in noni fruit so far. These are called novel compounds, meaning that they are newly discovered.

Examples of these novel compounds include americanoic acid and morindolin (J. Agric. Food Chem. 52(19):5843-5848), (+)-3,4,3’,4á-tetrahydroxy-9,7’á-epoxylignano-7á,9’-lactone (1) and (+)-3,3’-bisdemethyltanegool; J. Nat. Prod. 70(5):859-862). The compounds have additional bioactivities that go beyond antioxidant properties. There are certainly several phytochemicals in noni fruit which have an effect on the immune system. Such effects have been demonstrated in both human and animal (such as livestock) trials (J Vet Intern Med. 22(2):499-502; J Ethnopharmacol. 2008 115(3):502-506; Chinese Medical Research and Clinical 6(6):8-10.). Of the phytochemicals in noni fruit that have an effect on the immune system, the best known are those that belong to a category known as polysaccharides (Phytother Res. 1999 13(5):380-387; Phytother Res. 2003 Dec;17(10):1158-1164).

Conditions commonly used for

It may be surmised in lay terms that noni juice has antioxidant properties, improves energy/exercise endurance, helps to maintain healthy cholesterol levels, and supports healthy/proper immune system function.

Common dosage range

At least 30–60mls per day, depending on the needs of the patient.

Cautions, Contraindications and Side Effects

Because noni is usually taken as a juice, there are no known negative interactions with drugs, or side effects for most people.

Top