Areca nut has great importance in our country, which is obtained from Poka tree. Betel nut is widely consumed along with betel leaves. In Hindu tradition, no work is done without betel nut in worship, marriage and auspicious works. It is also used in making colors and in some medicines. Betel nut powder is also quite famous in our country, but all this is only one side of the coin.

Many people put betel nut in their mouth and chew it to get drunk. It is eaten by cutting it into small pieces, applying lime and wrapping it in a betel leaf. This is called paan. Tobacco or other aromatic things are also added to it for taste. Doctors say that chewing betel nut excessively is dangerous for health.

Betel nut is a dangerous intoxicant and is used as an intoxicant in many countries. It has been in use for several hundred years in South, South-East Asia and Pacific countries. Evidence of its use has been found in islands like Guam even 2,000 years ago. The habit of chewing betel nut has been going on for generations.

Today about 10-20 percent of the world’s population uses it. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 60 crore people consume betel nut in some form or the other. It is the fourth most used drug in the world after nicotine, alcohol and caffeine.

Many people chew betel nut for instant energy. The natural alkaloids present in it release adrenalin, which causes a feeling of excitement and happiness. It is said to be good for people suffering from minor health problems like dry mouth and digestive problems.

According to Ayurveda, using betel nut powder in very small quantities can kill stomach worms, but medically its benefits are very less. That too has not been completely scientifically proven. There is a danger of getting into the habit of eating it and research has also shown that the disadvantages of chewing betel nut are more and the benefits are less.

WHO has declared betel nut as a carcinogen i.e. cancer causing substance. Due to this, there is a risk of mouth cancer and food pipe cancer. People who are addicted to chewing betel nut may suffer from a disease called Oral Submucous Fibrosis (OSMF). Due to this, the inside of the mouth becomes hard and eventually it becomes difficult to move the jaw. This disease cannot be cured.

According to studies, betel nut use is linked to heart diseases, metabolic syndrome and obesity. Eating betel nut along with tobacco is even more dangerous. Children born due to this may lose weight. People who always chew betel nut may suffer from swollen gums, loss of teeth and the color of teeth may become permanently red or black. For this reason, governments are taking steps to increase awareness about the harm caused by betel nuts.