Betel nut is a tropical fruit that is commonly found in the southern region and is loved by the public for its unique taste and nutritional value. Many people indulge in the pleasure of chewing betel nut, and the more they chew, the more addicted they become, and they can't stop at all, and even regard it as a habit of life, ignoring its potential great harm.
As early as 2003, the International Agency for Research on Cancer under the World Health Organization has listed betel nut and its products as a first-class carcinogen harmful to the human body.
Betel nut contains a variety of alkaloids, which stimulate the taste buds on the tongue when chewed, and the body will also produce a series of reactions, such as fever, slight sweating, etc., giving people an extremely comfortable feeling. In the long run, it can lead to dependence, which can lead to addiction, falling into self-extricating chewing behaviors, and increasing the difficulty of withdrawal.
The fiber of betel nut is very coarse, and during chewing, it will cause local damage to the oral mucosa through high-intensity friction, and at the same time, a large amount of cytotoxic arecine will be released, which will lead to fibrosis of the oral mucosa. Over time, it can cause difficulty opening the mouth, which can cause mucosal lesions and oral cancer.
Today, 800 million people in the world still chew betel nut, and many chewers suffer from oral cancer. In order to save their lives, most patients have to choose to cut off their tongues, gums and other diseased parts, becoming "monsters" in the eyes of others, and some even "cut their faces" but do not "save their lives".
Epidemiological studies have shown that long-term chewing of betel nut may also lead to esophageal cancer, liver cancer, liver cirrhosis, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, chronic kidney disease, brain nerve damage and other diseases.
In order to protect oral health, it is recommended that everyone try to avoid eating betel nut, and chewing gum can be used appropriately instead of chewing betel nut. If it is not possible to completely abstain, it is necessary to strictly limit the amount and frequency of consumption, and have regular oral examinations for early detection and treatment.
