Can people with high uric acid levels eat betel nut?

Patients with high uric acid levels are not advised to consume betel nut, mainly for the following reasons: 1. **Purine content**: Although the purine content of betel nut is debated among different sources, even if its purine levels are relatively low, excessive consumption may still have some impact on uric acid levels, making it unfavorable for patients to manage their condition. 2. **Health risks**: Long-term chewing of betel nut may cause various oral health problems, such as oral ulcers, tooth loss, and oral mucosal cancer. In addition, arecoline (an alkaloid found in betel nut) has stimulant effects that may cause increased heart rate and elevated blood pressure, thereby increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases—all of which are detrimental to the overall health of patients with high uric acid levels. 3. **Interference with treatment**: The stimulating effects of betel nut may disrupt the treatment of high uric acid, such as inducing excessive gastric acid secretion, leading to gastrointestinal disorders like gastric ulcers, thus affecting drug absorption and therapeutic effectiveness.