The use of betel nut or areca nut is associated with a number of cultures in the East, especially India. The betel nut comes from the betel palm tree. It was synonymous with the Indian culture and still is in certain parts of the country. The betel nut is given great importance during traditional weddings and religious ceremonies. The use of the nut after a meal is said to work as a digestive, but, research has revealed otherwise.
The betel nut is a mild euphoric stimulant. It has a high level of psychoactive alkaloids. The betel nut is a human carcinogen and exposes the consumer to high risk of oral cancer. 50% of the oral cancers thus recorded are also found to be malignant. The chewing of the betel nut is addictive and stains the mouth, tongue and teeth and even the surroundings that many use as a public spittoon.
The chewing of the betel nut is also associated with Oral Sub-mucous Fibrosis or OSF. The indulgence has a number of negative effects connected with it, but no known benefit. The educated in India are now aware of the consequences of chewing on betel nut and are doing away with the practice, taking to the chewing of cardamom or cinnamon after food, instead.
The betel nut is a mild euphoric stimulant. It has a high level of psychoactive alkaloids. The betel nut is a human carcinogen and exposes the consumer to high risk of oral cancer. 50% of the oral cancers thus recorded are also found to be malignant. The chewing of the betel nut is addictive and stains the mouth, tongue and teeth and even the surroundings that many use as a public spittoon.
The chewing of the betel nut is also associated with Oral Sub-mucous Fibrosis or OSF. The indulgence has a number of negative effects connected with it, but no known benefit. The educated in India are now aware of the consequences of chewing on betel nut and are doing away with the practice, taking to the chewing of cardamom or cinnamon after food, instead.
