Noni fruit, also known by the scientific name “Morinda citrifolia,” is grown in tropical climates such as the Polynesian Islands, northern Australia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Aug. 1, 2001, issue of the medical journal American Association for Cancer Research states that the noni fruit has been used for centuries by Pacific islanders for its health benefits. The noni is not often eaten as a fruit, as it is bland and has an unpleasant smell. It is most often consumed as a fruit juice, although parts of the fruit, such as the leaves and the pulp, are also known to have healing benefits.
Anti-Cancer Benefits
Noni juice is shown to provide protection against the development of cancer. A study in the December 2001 issue of the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences pointed out that noni juice prevented the formation of cancer cells and attributed this action to its high antioxidant power. The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York echoes this claim, stating that there are many reports of studies, done in vitro (outside of a living environment) and in animals, that show noni extract exhibits anti-tumor properties.
