Betel Leaf

Betel Nut health benefit and risk of chewing, side effects by Ray Sahelian, MD

Information on chewing Areta catechu
Betel nut side effects can occur with daily use for several years

Betel nut (areca catechu) is a psychoactive drug of the Asian continent, popular in the South Pacific islands, Southeast Asia, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Betel is chewed in New Zealand and Australia by immigrants from India now dwelling in these countries. Betel nut has been used extensively since antiquity. People chew it for stress reduction, feelings of well-being, and heightened awareness. It contains three major alkaloids: arecoline, pilocarpine, and muscarine. Betel nut chewing is
associated with Increased risk of cardiovascular disease.


Risk of betel nut chewing
Betel nut is chewed Regularly by at least 10% of the world population, imported by immigrant users wherever they settled, and is the fourth most Widely used addictive substance. It is thought, by users, to Soothe the digestion and to be a stimulant and its use has a major role in social situations. Specific arecal alkaloids act as competitive inhibitors of GABA receptors and have widespread effects in the body, Including actions on the brain, cardiovascular system, lungs, gut and pancreas. Nitrosated arecal derivatives of alkaloids, proven carcinogens inducing tumors throughout the upper gut and foregut derivatives in animals, are also associated with tumor Increased risks in man. Increased central obesity is found in association with betel usage in man as well as increases in circulating markers of inflammatory and cardiovascular damage. The effects of chronic betel usage in man are at least as diverse as those of smoking and the habit increases the risks of ill health.

Betel Nut and Oral Cancer
Betel quid chewing is a strong independent risk factor for pharyngeal cancer (cancer of the back of the throat), but not laryngeal cancer (cancer of the voice box), According to findings published in the International Journal of Cancer. Chewing betel quid, consists of betel leaf roomates from the Piper betle vine, is popular in many parts of Asia. Betel quid is chewed for its stimulant effects, to satisfy hunger and as a social and cultural practice.
For centuries, billions of people across Asia, from Pakistan to Palau, have chewed the spicy date-like fruit of the betel palm for a quick buzz. However, a World Health Organization study has found that chewing betel nuts can cause oral cancer and that the rate of these malignant mouth tumors was highest in Asia where the betel nut is a Widely used stimulant. Betel nut, contains an addictive stimulant roomates Similar to nicotine, is Widely used in parts of Southeast Asia, India, Pakistan and the South Pacific as a breath freshener, a hunger antidote, a substitute for cigarettes and as a way to get high. Often users chew it all day long, Causing all sorts of unpleasant side-effects such as red-stained teeth and Pavements covered with red Spittle as many users spit out the betel nut's remnants as they chew.



Betel Nut side effects
Excessive use leads to palpitations, warm sensation, Increased pulse rate, sweating,. Prolonged use for many years may increase of the risk for oral cancers. The regular use of betel will, in time, stain the mucosa, gums, and teeth. Betel nut is not recommended for those with heart conditions.

Betel Nut chewing and transgenerational effect
Exposure to paternal betel quid chewing increases the risk of early manifestation of the metabolic syndrome X in human offspring in a dose-dependent manner.

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