Risks Areca Nut Can Bring, Are You Ready to Face Them?

In many parts of Asia you can come across people who, when smiling, reveal deep red or purple mouth. This sight indicates that they were chewing betel nut (areca nut). Although some people state that chewing this fruit can be beneficial for a person’s health, there are a lot of people who are sure that the risks are much higher. So what are the dangers this fruit can hide?

Some scientists warn people that betel nut and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, metabolic syndrome are strongly connected. It can also lead to gum irritation or tooth decay if being chewed regularly. There have been conducted some studies which prove that chewing betel nut can result in pharyngeal cancer (cancer of the back of the throat) and oral cancer.

Excessive use can cause sweating, warm sensation, palpitations and increased pulse rate. Other side-effects are red-stained teeth, or sometimes they can even become permanently black.

Betel nut can also have effect on the level of blood sugar which can cause type 2 diabetes.

If a pregnant woman chews this fruit, it can have very sad outcomes. Chewing betel nut is connected with increasing number of preterm births and low birth height and weight. Arecoline that is found in these nuts is to be blamed for it.