Fermented noni fruit can help your digestive system healthy. Consuming this may help prevent inflammatory-related diseases of the colon, according to a study published in the Journal of Medicine Food.
In a study from Chung Shan Medical University in Taichung, Taiwan, researchers looked at the effects of fermented noni extracts on colon microflora and inflammation on colon epithelial cells. Though this fruit possesses various bioactivities, its effect on gut health has not yet been known.
For the study, the ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts of fermented noni fruit were used by the researchers. They tested its anti-inflammatory activities on Caco-2 cells. According to the results, the ethanol extract of fermented noni fruit promoted the growth of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species, which are good gut bacteria. Meanwhile, the ethyl acetate extract of fermented noni fruit reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species and significantly inhibited cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and prostaglandin E2 production and neutrophil chemotaxis. Fermented noni fruit has been found to have quercetin, which is responsible for its anti-inflammatory effects.
The results of this study only show that fermented noni fruit helps promote probiotic growths and decrease the intracellular oxidation and inflammation of Caco-2 cells. Thereby, the researchers concluded that fermented noni fruit might protect against inflammatory diseases of the colon.
Other Benefits Of Noni Fruit
Due to its medicinal properties, noni fruit has long been used by folk medicine practitioners and Polynesian herbalists. Though this tree originated in Southeast Asia, it is now grown in tropical regions of the world. Other benefits you can obtain from noni fruit are:
It May Protect You Against Stroke Damage
Consumption of noni fruit juice may possibly help you from the damage caused by stroke. This fruit has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can protect you against brain damage caused by a temporary interruption of brain blood flow.
It Helps Decrease Cholesterol Levels
High cholesterol levels were linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.
The results of the study conducted by a team of Saudi and Pakistani researchers showed that the water and ethanol-based extracts of noni fruit, leaves, and roots significantly reduced cholesterol and triglyceride levels in animals.
It Helps Fight Against Bacteria
Noni Fruit has been traditionally used to treat infections caused by bacteria.
Research has been conducted to determine how effective noni fruit extract against three common bacteria responsible for numerous diseases. The team of researchers from India prepared extracts from dried noni fruit powder using various agents and they discovered that all extracts showed moderated antibacterial activity against E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Proteus vulgaris.
It Has Analgesic Properties
Traditionally, noni fruit has been used to relieve the pain caused by inflammatory conditions such as arthritis.
In an animal study, a team of researchers from Germany looked at the effects of noni fruit in decreasing pain sensitivity. A 10% solution of freeze-concentrated noni fruit puree was added to the drinking water of mice and with the use of hot plate test, they were then subjected to pain. According to the results, noni juice caused a reduction in pain sensitivity similar to that of tramadol, a prescription analgesic used to relieve moderate to severe pain.
