What are the health risks of betel nut to the human body?
Disease description:
I saw many people around me chewing betel nuts, so I tried it once, but my mom scolded me, saying I was picking up bad habits. What harm does betel nut do to the human body?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhang Liwen
Chewing betel nut generally causes harm such as impaired sense of smell and digestive problems. Regular consumption of betel nut affects the body's digestive system, and the secretion of saliva as well as the olfactory nerves can be damaged during chewing. Betel nuts contain large amounts of arecoline and other alkaloids, which are inherently cytotoxic. When oral mucosa comes into contact with these alkaloids, it may trigger a reaction leading to oral submucous fibrosis. Chewing betel nut also turns teeth black, and prolonged use can cause severe tooth wear, increasing the likelihood of symptoms such as tooth sensitivity.
