Noni baloney!

Enjoying my favorite vacation, a cruise in the South Pacific, I was confronted (again) by the offer to try-and-buy the wonder drug of all time, Noni Juice. Our tour guide in the Cook Island paradise of Raritonga stopped the truck by a plantation of the noni fruit, and began extolling it's virtues: a cure for cancer (no less), strss, low immunity, sexual problems, urinary disorders, bowel difficulties, and so on - and on, and on. I'm torn. On the one hand, I'm glad that Rarotonga (as well as Hawaii, the Marquesas and Society Islands) have found a new source of income, now that copra isn't selling like it used to. On the other hand, I don't like the idea of gullible westerners being taken for a ride by claims of miraculous cures from an untested product (remember the shark cartilage and apricot pit fiascos?). Often it's those who can least afford it who are encouraged to buy these spurious cures. You can read some of the claims made for noni juice at the "Noni-is-good-for-you" website, and the arguments against using it at Quackwatch. Caveat emptor! And instead of encouraging the islanders to follow the path to a quick, but unsustainable, income stream, visit them, enjoy their beautiful islands, and spend your tourist dollars generously. If you're looking for a cure for a serious disorder, on the other hand, rely on proven treatment prescribed by your doctor. I was excited to be able to visit a winery in Rangiroa, one of the Society Islands. After only 5 years' work a frenchman living in Tahiti has been able to produce credible quality wines from a vinyard growing on a coral atoll. To learn more, got to Vin de Tahiti. The products are certainly more healthy than Noni Juice, and many times more enjoyable!