
Nourishing the Soul: Finding Balance through Noni's Bounty
Larry LogsdonShare
In the grand tapestry of life, our bodies are the canvases on which our stories are painted. The brushstrokes of nutrient deficiencies and digestive woes leave their mark on the masterpiece, affecting everything from fertility and immunity to blood sugar balance and memory. As we navigate the labyrinth of modern living, one of the most profound choices we can make to ensure hormonal harmony and overall well-being is to optimize our nutrition. Yet, in this fast-paced 21st-century world, that choice can often feel like an uphill battle.
In our bustling reality, where fast food reigns and ingredient lists read like a chemical experiment, it's no wonder that many of us find ourselves deficient in essential nutrients. Our once-rich farmlands, now depleted, yield fruits and vegetables that may no longer carry the nutritional potency they once did. It's a sad truth that even fresh produce can't always deliver the sustenance our bodies crave.
And if these challenges weren't enough, digestive problems have become all too common. Food allergies, leaky gut, colitis, IBS, and constipation are on the rise, hindering our ability to absorb the nutrients we so desperately need. Women, in particular, find themselves vulnerable to these gut issues, creating a perfect storm for hormonal imbalances. As the saying goes, "We are what we absorb, not what we eat." If our digestive systems struggle to extract nourishment from our meals, our health inevitably pays the price.
But fear not, for Mother Nature has once again extended her healing hand. Enter Noni juice, a natural elixir brimming with all the essential nutrients required to nourish every cell in our bodies and restore hormonal equilibrium. When it comes to fueling a healthy body, Noni juice is the answer we've been seeking.
Within the depths of Noni's rich bounty lie more than 165 phytonutrients, including potassium, magnesium, Vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, iron, calcium, Vitamin C, carotene, vitamin A, and essential fatty acids. It's a veritable treasure trove of healthful substances, from anti-inflammatory warriors to painkillers, anti-viral agents, anti-fungal defenders, and anti-bacterial champions.
Noni is not just about nutrients; it's a symphony of amino acids too. These are the building blocks of life, essential for the formation of proteins and the support of our digestive systems. Essential amino acids, the ones we can't produce ourselves, must be sourced from our diets. They play a pivotal role in maintaining healthy skin, nerve cells, heart tissues, blood vessels, mood balance, and cell membrane integrity. Remarkably, Noni contains 17 of the 21 known amino acids, including all 9 essential ones.
But that's not all! Noni's goodness extends to its high content of soluble and insoluble fibers, vital for digestive health. These fibers keep our internal systems humming along, ensuring that the precious nutrients we consume are absorbed efficiently.
So, my dear friends, when you feel the tightrope of life wobble beneath your feet, remember that Noni juice is there to guide you back to balance. Nature's gift, with its myriad blessings, is ready to nourish your soul, mend your body, and restore the harmonious masterpiece that is you.
Noni contains potent antioxidants that provide many health benefits. Noni juice fights free radicals and inflammatory ailments like cancer, diabetes, and joint pains. Naheed Ali, M.D, Ph.D., says, “It (Noni) is an anti-inflammatory agent that can help reduce inflammation throughout the body. Additionally, it contains plenty of antioxidants that can improve the health of your skin and hair. Furthermore, it can also boost your immune system and raise your energy levels. So, not only will noni juice benefit the condition of your skin and hair, but it will also improve your overall health and well-being.” Noni juice was found to contain an enzyme called quinone reductase, that is a powerful anti-inflammatory that has helped to reduce arthritic pains. Noni fruit is a great source of some very important anti-inflammatory molecules that can reduce the progression of inflammatory diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease. The juice has also been found to improve gout.
Noni Supports Heart Health Women tend to develop heart disease up to a decade later than men due to hormonal changes around menopause. Supporting heart health is essential for women, especially menopausal women and beyond. Some types of heart disease are more common in, or even unique to women. These include conditions that can damage the small blood vessels nourishing the heart as well as weakening of the heart muscle. Noni juice has been found to be very beneficial for the cardiovascular health. Noni helps to lower high blood pressure, reduce the build-up of plaque in the arteries as well as harmful cholesterol. A study published in the Evidence Based Complement Alternative Medicine found that,“ the presence of numerous bioactive compounds has justified the classification of Morinda citrifolia (Noni) as one of the dietary components which have a positive impact on the cardiovascular system, especially preventing hypertension, atherosclerosis, and dyslipidemia.”
In addition, there is evidence that Noni juice can aid weight loss. Excess weight is a result of metabolic syndrome which is a cluster of conditions that occur together, increasing your risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. These conditions include increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels. Some women who manage to maintain a healthy weight and have “good” numbers for their blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar for most of their life may find this is no longer the case after menopause. A published study in the journal Menopause suggests that the chance of developing metabolic syndrome climbs as much as 38 percent after menopause. The good news is that Noni helps with weight loss and improving overall metabolism. A study in the Journal Nutrients found, “Noni has demonstrated positive effects in metabolic dysfunction, including the regulation of body weight and fat deposits, lipid and glucose metabolism and blood pressure, liver-protective effects, and improvement in bacterial colonization of the gut and intestinal shape”.
Noni Improves Brain Health The hormonal changes that women go through, especially menopause can increase the risk of forgetfulness and "brain fog. In addition, women with other medical conditions like diabetes and hypertension are at increased risk for cognitive decline. It is recognized that there are many factors that a can effectively reduce the risk of cognitive impairment which include eating a healthy diet, getting exercise, maintaining optimal weight, managing blood pressure, and having a social network. Including Noni juice in your daily routine has been shown to support a healthy brain. It is known to prevent brain cell degeneration due to the activity of antioxidants that combat oxidative stress. This is good news for women as well as men. Noni may also protect the neurons from harm. A Japanese study found that it can protect the brain from a stress-induced decline of cognitive function. Noni has the ability to prevent the absorption of cholesterol thanks to a special plant compound called, phytosterols. These are natural compounds found in plants that can help to lower cholesterol levels. These compounds support brain health and reduce plaque build up in the arteries, to keep the brain properly oxygenated and working properly, thus improving memory and concentration. Noni Supports Skin Health The good news for women is that Noni juice has pain-killing, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties which play a big role in enhancing skin health. Noni also contains essential fatty acids that are the building blocks of fats and oils. Getting adequate fatty acids in your diet is essential for healthy, youthful skin. They prevent the loss of skin elasticity and dryness. Essential fatty acids also help skin cells retain water, minimizing the appearance of cellulite, aging, and oily skin. Noni for Digestive Health The Women’s Health Network is a network of practicing physicians, experts and advocates. They found that 65 percent of the women who they interviewed reported difficulty with digestion, which included frequent bloating, gas, diarrhea and constipation. These are signs of poor digestive function that, over time, can lead to a variety of health issues. Noni is a wonderful support for digestive health. Noni juice is particularly rich in vitamin A which plays an important role in supporting your digestive system. It can help treat gastric problems such as constipation, gas, and bloating. It also promotes intestinal mucosal integrity and helps in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. Results from a study published in the journal Mediators of Inflammation found "Noni fruit as an important source of anti-inflammatory molecules with a great potential to inhibit the progression of inflammatory diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease( long-standing inflammation of tissues in the digestive tract).” Noni Helps Relieve Fatigue, Anxiety and Depression Traditionally, Noni fruit was used by Polynesians to combat fatigue. Noni juice has shown not only to help fight fatigue but increase energy levels due to its high nutrient profile. The intake of Noni juice is also believed to enhance endurance, flexibility, and balance. This is great news for women since, “Worn out and weary, women across the country named fatigue among their top five health concerns of 2010 in WebMD's annual Year in Health survey.” Many women experience feeling fatigued as well as anxious or depressed. Noni juice contains another unique component, called scopoletin, that has wonderful health benefits. In addition to its anti-inflammatory, anti-histamine, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial properties, scopoletin also regulates the feel-good neurotransmitter, serotonin. Maintain ing adequate serotonin levels insures a sense of well-being and happiness. It is the antidote to anxiety, depression and insomnia. Noni for Improved Liver Health Ancient Ayurvedic texts mention noni as “Ashyuka” This word means longevity. The fruit and its juice are used in Ayurveda to detoxify and rebalance the body. Studies have revealed that Noni juice protects the liver from exposure to toxins. The juice inhibits the inflammatory response and suppresses the elevated activities of liver enzymes. Noni fruit is also known for its effectiveness in protecting against liver diseases. As supported by a 2008 study, Noni juice has hepato-protective effects on the liver which assists in protecting the organ from exposures to toxic chemicals and defends against major illnesses that can harm the liver. It may surprise you to learn that the liver plays a major role in hormonal balance in women. One of the most important functions of the liver is to break down and remove excess hormones from your body, especially estrogen. Once estrogen has done its job in the body, it is sent to the liver so it can be broken down and removed through the colon. Unfortunately, if your liver is not functioning properly or is too toxic, it cannot effectively metabolize estrogen. If estrogen is not properly broken down, it can be re-absorbed back into the body. This can contribute to many kinds of hormonal problems caused by excess estrogen including PMS, migraines, fibroids, endometriosis, heavy periods, hot flashes, depression and even estrogen-sensitive cancers. Dr. Staci Holweger, Ph.D., Regenerative Medicine, says, “Noni juice is an all-natural juice that contains a rich source of antioxidants and amino acids. If you’re looking to detox your body and cleanse the toxins out, Noni juice is a great way to do it.” Noni - A Single Fruit a Myriad of Benefits for Women With the many challenges facing women when it comes to their hormonal health, it is truly amazing to learn that Noni juice provides such a wide range of health and balancing benefits. It once again affirms the truth that nature abundantly creates the healing foods that are able to deeply nourish as well as restore the body’s ability to heal and regain harmony.