Betel Nut chew  (Areca catechu)
Betel nut cancer research betel nut side effects

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. The major component of betel quid, the seed of the areca palm is a psychotropic drug whose side effects include the destruction of teeth, impairment of oral hygiene and bronchial asthma. Betel quid is an oral carcinogenic. The addition of tobacco increases the risk of cancer of the pharynx and upper gastrointestinal tract.

Betel nut and oral cancer
Betel nut is an important environmental risk factor for development of oral premalignant lesions and cancer. Arecoline, the major alkaloid of areca nut, has been known to cause cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in mammalian cells in vivo and in vitro, and even contributes to carcinogenicity.

Compounds in Betel nut and their physiological effects
Betel nut is chewed regularly by at least 10% of the world population, imported by immigrant users wherever they settle, and is one of the top most widely used addictive substance. It is thought 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 derivatives of arecal alkaloids, proven carcinogens inducing tumours throughout the upper gut and foregut derivatives in animals, are also associated with increased tumour 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 contains three major alkaloids: arecoline, pilocarpine, and muscarine.

Betel nut side effects
Excessive use leads to palpitations, warm sensation, increased pulse rate, sweating, . Prolonged use for many years may increase the risk for oral cancers. The regular use of betel will, in time, stain the mucosa, gums, and teeth.

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