Palm tree

Areca catechu is grown for its commercially important seed crop, the areca nut.
The areca nut is the seed of the areca palm (Areca catechu). This seed is commonly referred
to as betel nut so it is easily confused with betel leaves that are often used to wrap it (paan).
Consumption has many harmful effects on health and is carcinogenic to humans. Various
compounds present in the nut, most importantly arecoline (the primary psychoactive
ingredient which is similar to nicotine), contribute to histologic changes in the oral mucosa.
As with chewing tobacco, its use is discouraged by preventive efforts.
The areca nut is not a true nut, but rather a fruit categorized as a berry. It is commercially
available in dried, cured and fresh forms. When the husk of the fresh fruit is green, the nut
inside is soft enough to be cut with a typical knife. In the ripe fruit, the husk becomes yellow
or orange and, as it dries, the fruit inside hardens to a wood-like consistency.
Usually for chewing, a few slices of the nut are wrapped in a betel leaf along with calcium
hydroxide (slaked lime) and may include clove,cardamom, catechu (kattha) or other spices
for extra flavouring. Betel leaf has a fresh, peppery taste, but it can also be bitter to varying
degrees depending on the variety.
Areca nuts are chewed with betel leaf for their effects as a mild stimulant, [2] causing a
warming sensation in the body and slightly heightened alertness, although the effects vary
from person to person.
The areca nut contains the tannins arecatannin and gallic acid; a fixed oil gum; a
little terpineol; lignin; various saline substances; and three main alkaloids —
arecoline, arecaidine and guvacine — all of which have vasoconstricting properties.[3] The
betel leaf chewed along with the nut contains eugenol, another vasoconstrictor. Tobacco leaf
is often added to the mixture, thereby adding the effect of nicotine.[4]
Areca nut affects almost all organs of the human body, including the brain, heart,
lungs,gastrointestinal tract and reproductive organs. It causes or aggravates pre-existing
conditions such as neuronal injury, myocardial infarction,cardiac arrhythmias, hepatotoxicity,
asthma, central obesity, type II diabetes, hyperlipidemia,metabolic syndrome, etc. Areca nut
affects theendocrine system, leading to hypothyroidism,prostate hyperplasia and infertility. It
affects the immune system leading to suppression of T-cellactivity and decreased release
of cytokines. It has harmful effects on the fetus when used during pregnancy.
Areca nut vendor with red mouth from areca consumption preparing betel leaves
Chewing areca nut alone has been linked to oral submucosal fibrosis.[15] According to
Medline Plus, "Long-term use [of betel-areca preparations] has been associated with oral
submucosal fibrosis (OSF), pre-cancerous oral lesions andsquamous cell carcinoma. Acute
effects of betel chewing include asthma exacerbation, hypertension, and tachycardia. There
may additionally be a higher risk of cancers of the liver, mouth, esophagus, stomach,
prostate, cervix, and lung with regular betel use. Other effects can include a possible effect
on blood sugar levels, which may in turn increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes."[16]
Use during pregnancy
Chewing paan (and/or other areca nut and betel leaf formulations) during pregnancy
significantly increases adverse outcomes for the baby.[21] The habit is associated with higher
incidences of preterm birth and low birth weight and height.