Noni juice facts for kids
Noni juice comes from the fruit of the Morinda citrifolia tree. This tree grows naturally in places like Southeast Asia and Australasia. Some people have said that noni juice can cure many human diseases. However, there is no scientific proof that it can help treat or cure any illness.
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Warnings About Noni Juice Claims
Some companies have sold noni juice by saying it could treat or cure diseases. But these claims are not supported by science. Government agencies like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have warned these companies.
Why Companies Received Warnings
In 1998, a company called Morinda, Inc. (which makes Tahitian Noni juice) was told to stop making false claims. They had said their juice could help with conditions like diabetes, depression, and arthritis.
Morinda agreed to:
- Stop saying their juice could cure or treat diseases. They could only do this if the FDA approved it as a medicine.
- Only make health claims that are true and backed by real science.
- Not use stories from customers that suggest everyone will get the same results, unless they have proof this is typical.
In 2004, the FDA also sent a warning to another company, Flora, Inc. This company made many health claims about noni juice that were not proven. The FDA said that if a product claims to be a medicine, it needs strong scientific evidence.
The FDA also pointed out that certain plant chemicals in noni, like scopoletin, have not been proven to help humans.
Is Noni Juice Safe to Drink?
Scientists have looked into the safety of noni juice. Some studies suggest that certain substances in noni roots, leaves, and fruit might be harmful to the liver and other body parts.
Noni Juice and Your Liver
In 2005, some medical reports described cases where people developed a liver problem called acute hepatitis after drinking Tahitian Noni juice. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) looked into these cases.
At first, they said there wasn't enough proof to link the juice directly to liver damage. However, more reports came out later. These new reports suggested that some people might be very sensitive to noni fruit products, which could affect their liver.
Because of this, the U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health advises people with a history of liver problems not to drink noni products. Food safety groups in France, Finland, Ireland, and Germany continue to watch for any issues with noni juice.
Noni Juice and Potassium
Noni products can also have a lot of potassium. This is important for people who need to limit potassium in their diet, especially those with kidney problems. They should avoid noni juice.
What Experts Say About Noni Juice
Some people who practice alternative medicine have claimed that noni plants and juices can cure many serious illnesses. These include HIV, heart disease, and cancer.
However, the American Cancer Society has looked at these claims. They have stated that "there is no reliable clinical evidence that noni juice is effective in preventing or treating cancer or any other disease in humans." This means there is no good scientific proof that noni juice helps with these conditions.
See also
In Spanish: Jugo de noni para niños
