Although all Noni risks and health benefits have yet to be documented by medical researchers, Noni juice has been taken by people across the world for more than  2000 years. 

Noni is generally considered safe, in moderation, and is reported to present very few side effects. Few people report problems with Noni juice, and of those who do, most appear to be only temporary allergic reactions.

However, there is some concern that Noni may be linked to autoimmune hepatitis. Click here for more info.

Side Effects
No major side effects have been associated with Noni, but it can cause a change in the color of urine.

A small percentage of people do experience some allergic reactions such as itching and rashes.  Some have also reported short-term side effects like belching, gas, and nausea.

In some regions of the world Noni and other morinda species are used as a laxative. So it should not be surprising that some patients using higher concentrations of Noni juice may experience some diarrhea.

Noni Risks
Although the risk of long-term adverse reactions is not currently known, it is generally believed to be quite low, because of the long history of Noni as a food and folk remedy in many parts of the world.  However, since so little is known about the effects of Noni juice, it is generally not recommended for pregnant or breast-feeding women, or for young children.

Noni juice contains high amounts of potassium and sugar, making it inappropriate for use by most individuals with diabetes or kidney disorders.  Patients with diabetes would be wise to find out the amount of sugars used to sweeten the particular product they wish to use. 

Noni and Hepatitis
In 2005, two scientific publications described incidents of acute hepatitis reportedly caused by ingesting Noni, and the European Union’s Food Safety Agency (EFSA) initiated an evaluation of current Noni products. In September 2006, the EFSA reported that they found no “convincing evidence for a causal relationship between the acute hepatitis observed in the case reports and the consumption of Noni juice.” 

The FDA does not appear to support these findings. The FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research web site features a presentation given by Leonard B. Seeff, M.D. of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases in May 2007.  In his report, Dr. Seeff notes that several drugs have been reported with some frequency to cause AIH (autoimmune hepatitis), making it likely that the relationship is real. One of these drugs listed under herbals is “morinda citrifolia” or Noni juice.

Clearly more research needs to be done before we will know all of the benefits and all of the risks associated with ingesting Noni.  However, if you currently have, or have ever had, any diabetes or kidney disorders, we strongly urge you to consult your physician before taking any Noni product.

Noni Interactions:
Because Noni contains a significant amount of potassium, taking it with drugs that keep potassium in the body may lead to hyperkalemia.  For the same reason, caution should also be used when taking Noni with drugs, supplements or foods that also contain large amounts of potassium.

How much Noni?
As with any herb, it is best to use low amounts. While some herbs are healthy to ingest in small amounts, they have a potential to be harmful if used in excessive dosages.  Typical suggested doses of Noni juice range from one to two tablespoons, once or twice a day.  The usual recommendation for powdered extracts is 500 to 1000 mg daily. However, we urge you to consult your physician before adding any Noni product to your daily diet.

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