Betel Nuts: Its Benefits May be Outweighed by Its Dangers

Betel Nut is Not Actually a Nut

The betel nut is actually a large fruit from a tropical tree, resembling a palm. It grows naturally in Pacific Rim countries and islands of Asia. The fruit is dried, often wrapped in leaves, or simply chewed when it is ripe. It is considered a psychoactive drug and has the affect of producing euphoria and heightened awareness, and reducing stress. This drug has been used since the beginning of civilization and today is the fourth most widely used addictive substance in the world.

Betel nut has traveled across Asia, as people have migrated and taken it with them. As a result, the use of the betel nut has increased significantly. Benefits of betel nuts have been the subject of a number of research studies, and many believe the benefits to be substantial. Others, who have identified and studied the negative effects of this drug believe that the negative effects far outweigh the benefits.

Benefits of Betel Nut

Because the medical practitioners of ancient civilizations used the drug to treat individuals who had mental illness, subsequent researchers were interested in the potential benefits. Early studies suggest that there may be benefits for schizophrenics, especially the ability to calm and modify some of the neurological activity.

Additional studies have included victims of stroke and brain injuries from accidents. There appear to be some positive benefits of betel nut therapy in improving speech, muscle strength and bladder control, but no further studies have subsequently occurred. This would perhaps be warranted.

Betel nuts show promise in the prevention of anemia in pregnant women, and the substance has been used for this purpose for centuries. The suspicion that this practice may contribute to birth defects, however, has led to strong recommendations against its use during any pregnancy.

One benefit of betel nuts is the feelings of well being and heightened awareness which can result in better on-the-job performance; obviously, employers may think this is a great benefit, but the user will have to use it throughout the workday to continue this effect.

One study indicates that betel nuts may be a factor in the lowering of cholesterol, and may lower blood sugar levels as well. For this reason, it can be dangerous to use betel nuts along with insulin for diabetes.

Dangers and Risks of Betel Nuts

Anyone using betel nuts must first understand that it is an addictive substance, like any drug. It is not a government-regulated drug, not even in the sense that tobacco and alcohol are in the United States, and so its use is widespread and growing. In addition to definite staining of the teeth, the negative effects of betel nuts are significant, and based upon longitudinal research studies.

First, betel nuts cause significant cardiovascular damage, to blood pressure, heart and lungs. The effects are probably more significant than those of tobacco and can occur more rapidly.

Long term use of betel nuts is known without doubt to cause cancer of the lungs, gut, and pancreas. Treatment for these cancers is long, painful, and without guarantees. Most betel nut users who end up with these cancers do not seek treatment and therefore suffer painful deaths.

Chewing betel nuts is proven to cause cancers of the mouth and throat, though not of the voice box. Again, treatments are aggressive with more successful results, but victims usually do not have the resources to seek these treatment regimens.

More recently, betel nuts have been determined to be causative factors in head and neck cancers. Again, treatments are available for those who have the resources to seek them, but often they wait until it is too late and the tumors have metastasized.

Summary

Clearly the benefits of betel nut are probably present. For individuals who have mental illnesses which create manic episodes, the use of betel nuts may have a calming effect. And, if future studies indicate that betel nuts do indeed improve neurological difficulties resulting from stroke and accidental brain injury, then there may indeed be a true medicinal and therapeutic benefit of betel nuts. Until there are truly research-backed definitive studies identifying specific benefits, however, a wise individual would certainly carefully evaluate the potential risks and avoid its use.