Wild blueberry/blueberry, cranberry and elderberry (syrup) are among, if not the only fruits, that can be used as medicinal ingredients to develop consumable natural health products recognized by Health Canada. We are talking about years of scientific research often supported by ancestral medicinal knowledge before organisms such as Health Canada can recognize that a plant or part of itself has an effect on a specific function of the human organism and that this effect is measurable. It is only from this official acceptance, which involves in its process of accepting evidence of efficacy on humans, that a material can be used to develop natural health products or drugs. You can’t do the same with fruits such as noni, goji or acai. In the case of Goji and acai for example, these two fruits have a strong antioxidant potential. On the other hand, there are still very few scientific studies demonstrating the real nutraceutical effectiveness of these products, whether natural, in juice or powder.

Exotic fruit juices

The opinion of Mrs. Hélène Baribeau, dietitian-nutritionist attached to Passeport Santé and who appears on the noni sheet of their website is clear, very explicit and also full of common sense:

“Exotic fruit juices such as acai, goji, mangosteen and noni are associated with exceptional health virtues by their manufacturers and distributors. Yet, for the time being, no good quality clinical trials confirming these claims have been published.

The high price of these juices and the lack of reliable clinical data do not currently justify their addition to our diet. All the more, we already have access to a wide variety of local berries and vegetables, many of which have clinically proven beneficial properties and high antioxidant value: blueberry, raspberry, strawberry, broccoli, tomato, onion Like what. The best fountain of youth is found in our daily actions to take care of our health and not in a single food.

Hélène Baribeau, dietitian-nutritionist, June 2011,

http://www.passeportsante.net/fr/Solutions/PlantesSupplements/Fiche.aspx?doc=noni_ps