Noni
contains significant amounts of proxeronine
a precursor to the alkaloid xeronine. An
enzyme in the body helps convert proxeronine
into xeronine. This effect happens most
frequently when noni is taken on an empty
stomach. A University of Hawaii researcher
who has studied xeronine for years believes
Noni with its proxeronine content has
potential to aid some types (although not
all types) of high blood pressure, menstrual
cramps, arthritis, gastric ulcers,
atherosclerosis, pain relief, and mental
depression among many other things. Much
more study is needed to verify this and the
mechanism by which it works.
Noni has
been used by people with a variety of
conditions. It has been used by people with
immune compromising diseases like chronic
fatigue syndrome to boost the immune system
function. It has been reported to help
stabilize blood sugar levels by diabetics
and hypoglycemic. Noni has been used by
individuals suffering with inflammation,
joint pain, and arthritis. Some people
recommend Noni to improve digestive
function, remove parasites, and cleanse the
digestive tract. Similarly others use it for
ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome,
constipation, and diarrhea. One study of
smokers observed that total cholesterol and
triglycerides improved after one month of
drinking Noni juice.
Considerable research is on-going to verify
the many uses and claims for Noni. Because
of its high potassium content individuals
with kidney related diseases should not use
Noni since it can result in elevated levels
of potassium in the blood. Pregnant or
nursing women also should not use Noni.