Chewing betel nuts can lead to oral cancer

#betelnut #arecanut #oralcancer #taiwan #supari The betel nut popularly known as supari in India is consumed by nearly a tenth of the world's population because it is supposed to give people a buzz that is equivalent to six cups of coffee. The betel nut is also used as a symbol of love, marriage and a cure for indigestion and impotence and is also responsible to send tens of thousands to an early grave.
This has been reported in bbc.com dated 22 March 2015.
This nut is found all across Asia and are harvested from the Areca palm and chewed for their warming glow and stimulating properties. It seems it is bracketed with nicotine, alcohol and caffeine and many believe it to be one of the most popular mind-altering substances in the world. These nuts are popular among working-age men – they chew it to remain awake through long hours of driving, fishing or working on construction sites.
Regular chewing of betel nuts can lead to oral cancer and in Taiwan the government is taking steps to curb this habit. In Taiwan, betel nuts are known as 'Taiwan's chewing gum'.
It is well known that the betel nut is a key part of many Asian cultures and people take it in its dry form or take it wrapped up in a package known as a quid. In India, it is used with betel leaves and called paan – it is a craze in many parts of north India, especially Beneras which is known for its Benarasi paan. It was even offered to President Obama during his visit to India in January.
This paan is a mixture of several items placed inside a betel leaf on which is applied a thin layer of slaked lime – the ingredients include flavorings like cardamom, cinnamon and rose petals.
However, the worry for the International Agency for Research on Cancer is that each ingredient, with the exception of cardamom and cinnamon, as known carcinogen - or cancer-causing agent. This is especially true for the slaked lime. The abrasions caused inside the mouth are possible entry points for cancer-causing chemicals.

A few more must reads -

Nashik Kumbhmela 2015 – a once in 12-years pilgrimage

Trip to Nashik should take in Shirdi and the Ajanta and Ellora caves

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the epic Ramayana

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the Mahabharata

Kumbhmela 2015 in Nashik – guided tours to wineries and vineyards

Nashik transforms from a place of pilgrimage to an industrial hub


First Russian woman cosmonaut returns to Earth after six-month stay in ISS

European court terms obesity as a disability

Health tips – lose weight without dieting

Sunshine means Vitamin D – good for health in measured dose