Why does chewing betel nut cause oral cancer?

Areca nut contains arecoline, areca tannins, areca-specific nitrosamines, and reactive oxygen species, which have cytotoxic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic properties. These substances can induce programmed death of various cells including oral fibroblasts, cause DNA strand breaks and DNA-protein crosslinks, and lead to damage of the oral mucosa. Additionally, the coarse texture of areca nut continually rubs and injures the oral mucosa during long-term chewing, resulting in chronic inflammation, which may develop into oral cancer under long-term irritation. According to research, individuals who regularly consume areca nut have a higher risk of developing oral cancer. Therefore, to prevent the occurrence of oral cancer, it is recommended to avoid long-term consumption of areca nut and other harmful substances, maintain healthy dietary habits and lifestyle practices, and undergo regular oral examinations.