Hawaiian Noni: 9 Nourishing Benefits of this Nutritious Super-Fruit!

The Hawaiians named their sacred fruit ‘Noni’. For Hawaiians, noni juice represents a gift of the lava from ‘Pele’ the goddess of fire, lightning, wind and volcanoes and the creator of the Hawaiian Islands. This funny-looking, tropical fruit has a long and rich history dating back 2,000 years. The noni plant (morinda citrifolia) produces a bitter-tasting fruit that is used to make juice, however, it’s more often mixed with other types of fruit juices.

It has played a significant role in the dietary and traditional practices of Polynesian peoples across the Pacific since time immemorial, with the fruit, stem, leaf, seed, flower, and root all being used for a variety of purposes. It was and still is used as a medicinal fruit by traditional Polynesian healers as a general tonic, to ease symptoms associated with, and as a remedy for imbalances of the respiratory, digestive, intestinal, nervous and immune systems. It was also considered particularly beneficial for the central nervous system, as well as for injuries.

Although Noni was widely used and cherished by the people of the Pacific nations and knowledge of Noni’s healthful benefits was passed from generation to generation, its secrets remained unknown to the rest of the world for thousands of years. In the twentieth century, botanists interested in the methods of traditional healers began to study this remarkable fruit.

Knowing that foods that contain antioxidants are important because they may help prevent a whole range of diseases resulting from cell damage or oxidative stress, and knowing that oxidative stress affects many diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, cataracts and age-related macular degeneration, the first thought was that this was the key in this sacred Hawaiian fruit. Certainly reducing oxidative stress can benefit such issues and Noni is chock full of antioxidants, but with Noni there is much more going on.

Here are 9 Nourishing Benefits of Hawaiian Noni Fruit!

 

 

Hawaii’s Noni fruit grows rich in a range of powerful antioxidants, particularly in the active ingredient of polysaccharides. The unique components in polysaccharides have been shown to exhibit multiple biological activities, including having anticarcinogenic, anticoagulant, immuno-stimulating properties which support the health of all major body systems and cellular health.

As well, Noni juice contains 17 amino acids among the total 20 amino acids including all 10 essential amino acids. What research has also shown, is that when we take Noni, the amino acid tryptophan enters our bloodstream and is carried to tissues to synthesize the body’s own proteins and other essential molecules. Tryptophan is the most important raw ingredient in manufacturing the important neurotransmitter, serotonin. Without neurotransmitters, we would be unable to think, perceive, move, or even live. When tryptophan is readily available, the body can use it to produce serotonin to allow nerve cells to communicate and interact with each other.

Serotonin, itself an antioxidant that has many complex roles, including the regulation of mood, appetite, and sleep. Serotonin also has some cognitive functions, such as memory and learning. but one important function is in regulating blood flow to the brain, heart, central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract. According to Wikipedia, approximately 90% of the human body’s total serotonin is located in the GI tract. Serotonin is popularly thought to be a contributor to feelings of well-being and happiness.

The brain (as well as the retinas, bone marrow, and certain white blood cells) then make melatonin from serotonin. Melatonin is also a powerful antioxidant that has been said to slow the progression of conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and ovarian cancer. What is known is that once melatonin has quenched a free radical reaction to protect a cell, it is used up, and cannot be recharged. Which means it must be continually replaced.

While the full details of research is not yet in, WebMed reports that noni fruit juice has been used for arthritis, diabetes, inflammation, high blood pressure, muscle aches and pains, menstrual difficulties, headaches, heart disease, AIDS, cancers, gastric ulcers, sprains, depression, senility, poor digestion, atherosclerosis, circulation problems, and to assist with drug addiction. When you add that list to the above spectrum of conditions none has been said to affect, it’s easy to see why people think this is a magical fruit. But let’s at least look at the following 9 Nourishing Benefits:

1. Enhances Cognitive Function

Noni is said to increase mental clarity and attention spans, as well as also increasing energy levels allowing for greater physical performance levels. It stimulates two major hormones called serotonin and melatonin, neurotransmitters (meaning it is responsible for sending messages between nerve cells) to improve your thinking, memory, focus, and mood.

Research showed that the administration of Noni fruit juice protects brains from stress-induced impairment of cognitive function and that this protective effect may be related to improvement in stress-induced decreases in blood vessel density in ‘input’ region of the Hippocampus. The hippocampus is part of the brain that mediates several higher brain functions, such as learning, memory, and spatial coding. The input region of the hippocampus plays a critical role in these processes.

In addition, research suggests that Noni may be beneficial for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson disease, a neurodegenerative disorder affecting mainly the motor system.

2. Blood Sugar and Diabetes

In traditional Polynesian medicine, noni fruit has been used to treat diabetes, and research on lab animals is verifying noni’s potential to help diabetics. Studies on laboratory rats have found that noni juice added to insulin treatments was more effective in controlling blood sugar than either component alone. The results were published in “Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine” in October 2010. In addition, it’s also said that noni could actually beneficially lower blood sugar levels.

Diabetes can also increase your risk of certain types of liver conditions, such as fatty liver disease, which causes scarring. As well as looking at noni’s effects on blood sugar levels, a University of the West Indies study published in 2010 also examined noni’s effects on the livers of diabetic rats. Researchers discovered that diabetic rats treated with noni juice had reduced fatty degeneration in liver cells, with smaller and less numerous fatty globules than in the diabetic untreated animals.

3. Energy Enhancement

Traditionally, Noni fruit was used by Polynesians to combat fatigue. Clinical studies have also revealed that consumption improves quality of life scores related to physical functioning and energy levels.

To further evaluate the ‘ergogenic’ (anti-fatigue and endurance promoting) potential of noni juice, aged mice were pretreated orally with increasing doses of Noni Juice and then compared with young and aged controls in the forced swim test and rotarod test. The average times of all noni juice dose groups were significantly longer than the aged controls in both the swim test (36% to 45%) and the rotarod test (59% to 128%), and were similar to those of the young controls.

This demonstrates not only an improvement in endurance but also in balance and flexibility. These results confirm its reported use to combat fatigue, improve endurance and increase overall physical performance.

4. Reduces Cholesterol

It’s no secret that cigarette smoke causes major cell damage within the body. In fact, reports show that cigarette smoking is one of the major causes of cardiovascular disease and the reason for one in three deaths related to cardiovascular disease. Smoking raises triglycerides, lowers the “good” HDL cholesterol, causes blood clots — which are known to block blood flow to the heart and brain — and can cause an increase in the buildup of plaque within the body, specifically fat, cholesterol and calcium in the blood vessels.

Interestingly, the findings from some studies on Noni with smokers who were not able to be placed on medication revealed much lower cholesterol levels and triglycerides after consuming Noni juice for just 30 days.

“These are patients who are not eligible for statins or other drug therapy but who are at risk because they smoke and have slightly elevated total cholesterol levels. Noni juice is able to lower their cholesterol and triglyceride levels and so might be used as a preventive measure against future heart disease.” Dr Mian-Ying Wang, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Rockford,

5. Supports Healthy Circulatory Function & Blood Pressure

Noni might (through the production of serotonin) play a role in the cardiovascular system helping to blood vessel elasticity and can act as either a vasodilator (causing vessels to expand) or a vasoconstrictor (causing vessels to narrow), depending on where and when it is released, thus regulating the expansion and contraction of blood vessels. When added to the diet, noni can help keep and maintain correct serotonin level in the blood and thus helps in improving some forms of vascular disease.

Ageing is also associated with a higher risk of heart disease. Over time, the endothelial cells – or the cells of the blood vessels and heart – begin to deteriorate. This triggers hardening of the arteries called atherosclerosis. However, according to BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Noni can put a stop to this. It works by blocking the interactions needed to kill endothelial cells. These benefits are all thanks to the antioxidants found in pure Noni juice.

6. Increases Wound Healing

Have you ever noticed when you get a cut or scrape, sometimes it takes a little longer than desired to heal? Noni can help keep and maintain correct function of platelets, the blood cells that cause blood to coagulate and close a wound. Noni may also be perfect for cellular repair. It contains ingredients such as alkaloids that are critical in maintaining a healthy balance in the body. Noni is known to accelerate the healing of wounds and, over time, can even improve scars. It has also been used to fight free radicals and even prevent cancer and reduce tumours.

7. Strengthens Immune System

Your immune system is the core of your health and wellbeing. Without a strong immune system, you would essentially be sick and dragging your body around every day, which would lead to draining all of your body systems! Boosting your immune system and keeping it strong is essential. Noni fruit is said to strengthen the immune system,

It activates receptors that are linked to your immune system, making sure it’s in tip-top shape. Noni juice even suppresses a cytokine called IL-4, which harms the ability of T-cells to do their job. Because of these health benefits, noni juice may help when the immune system isn’t responding properly. (ref)

8. Improves Digestive Function

This super fruit has been used internally and topically to treat acne. Killing bacteria and cleaning the digestive system, containing vitamin C, E, B, K and important enzymes, is no small feat. Noni has a rich chemical composition the has been shown to fight the parasites with the phenolic and aromatic compounds it contains, making it a possible treatment against them. Noni juice is often recommended to help remove parasites, to cleanse the digestive tract, improve digestion, and to control weight.

9. Combats Inflammation

Research published in the Journal of Natural Products shows that a “new fatty acid”, a new ascorbic acid derivative and metabolite important for metabolism were studied along with 13 other compounds found in noni fruit juice, that may be the reason it helps reduce the effects of arthritis. By adding noni juice into your diet, you may be able to provide the body with much-needed nutrients that can reduce and even help eliminate inflammation found in the body.

Plus 1? An Overall Anti-ageing Effect!

When it comes to our overall health, we often think about our cholesterol, blood pressure and body mass index (BMI). However, there’s a fourth ‘medical marker’ that’s just as important but rarely discussed, and that’s Advanced Glycation End-products (AGEs). Over time, AGEs can reach high levels in our body and cause damage that accelerates the ageing process from the inside out and impacting nearly every age-related health concern we discuss today.

Noni is said to help reduce these and many other conditions, to slow ageing and prevent degenerative disease.

Historically, many parts of the Noni plant were used both externally and internally for a variety of health purposes, alone or in combination with other herbs, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCIH). Today, the principal part of the noni plant used for health purposes is the ripe fruit, which is used as a dietary supplement for various chronic diseases, including cancer according to the NCCIH. Noni does appear to have quite amazing antioxidant, immune-boosting, and tumor-fighting properties, according to the center.

NOTE: The majority of clinical evidence showing the health benefits of Noni comes from animal studies. WebMed says that a study of Noni fruit extract is underway at The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, but results are not yet in.

Hawaii offers the best noni fruit in the world. And here’s why – Volcanoes.

Thanks to several active volcanoes, Hawaii’s soil is dense and rich – bursting with the elements vital to living organisms. You see, when the lava cools, it breaks down into virgin soil that’s packed full of nutrients and minerals that feed the noni plant. As a result, Hawaii’s noni fruit grows rich in polysaccharides, which end up inside you, where they nourish your immune system and cellular health, helping you stay strong.

The noni fruit from Hawaii is rich in health-supporting nutrients, grown in Hawaii’s mineral-rich, volcanic soils that are higher in minerals than in other regions. It often grows among lava flows, so if you were in Hawaii right now, you could stroll the beach, savouring the feel of the soft sand under your feet and the sun warming your shoulders – and soon you would come to your destination: a stretch of new land teeming with noni plants thriving in the rich, dark, volcanic soil.

If you were there, you could reach up and pluck one of the large noni fruits yourself and discover its health-enhancing power. However, if you are not there on the sandy beaches of Hawaii, perhaps the addition of noni juice could be your missing link. We highly recommend it, especially taken in conjunction with a colloidal mineral and green food powder. If you are someone who does not like taking tablets, this combo is a delicious, healthy daily supplement giving you your daily requirements.

 

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Other References:

• Wound-healing activity of Morinda citrifolia fruit juice Proven – Medial Study
• Noni Benefits for People With Diabetes
• Medical study shows Morinda citrifolia fruit juice augments insulin action
• Effects of Noni on High Blood Pressure
• An overview on natural polysaccharides with antioxidant properties
• The Sacred Healing Herb – Encyclopaedia of Alternative Medicine
• Anti-inflammatory Benefits of Noni Julice
• Serotonin and Melatonin – The Surprising Relationship Between The Two