As early as 2003, the International Center for Research on Cancer, a subsidiary of the World Health Organization, identified betel nut as a first-class carcinogen. This news undoubtedly sounded the alarm bell for the majority of betel nut users, reminding us that we must face up to the poisoning of betel nut and raise awareness of its seriousness.
Areca nut is an evergreen tree of the class of monocots, primary order, palm family, betel nut, the stem is erect, arbor-like, more than 10 meters high, up to 30 meters, there are obvious annular leaf marks, monoecious, the inflorescence is multi-branched, the ovary is oblong, the fruit is oblong or ovate, the seed is ovate, and the flowering and fruiting period is 3-4 months.
Betel nut is native to Malaysia, and is mainly distributed in tropical areas such as Yunnan, Hainan and Taiwan in China. It is widely cultivated in tropical Asia. Areca nut is an important Chinese medicinal material, and some ethnic minorities in the south also use the fruit as a chewing hobby.
First of all, we need to understand what it means to be a first-class carcinogen. In the scientific assessment, carcinogens are classified into five grades, with Level 1 being the highest level, meaning that the substance has sufficient evidence of carcinogenic effects in humans. The medical community believes that betel nut chewing is closely related to the incidence of various cancers such as oral cancer, laryngeal cancer, esophageal cancer, and liver cancer. According to the World Health Organization, 2.8 million people die each year from betel nut chewing. It is recognized as a drug in countries such as Turkey, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, Canada and Australia, and is banned from sale in many European and American countries.
In fact, betel nut is much more toxic than that. In addition to being carcinogenic, betel nut can also cause a range of health problems such as tooth wear, gum recession, digestive problems, mental health problems, and more. At the same time, betel nut addiction is also a problem that many people suffer from and cannot extricate themselves. On September 17, 2021, the State Administration of Radio and Television issued a notice that betel nut and its products shall not be promoted through live streaming and other means.
In the face of betel nut poisoning, how should we deal with it?First, raising public awareness of the dangers of betel nut is key. We need to let more people know about the dangers of betel nut through various channels, including education and other channels. Secondly, supervision should be strengthened to restrict the production, sale and use of betel nut. At the same time, for people who are already addicted, professional rehabilitation services should be provided to help them get rid of betel nut.
In general, betel nut is a first-class carcinogen, and its toxicity cannot be ignored. We should face up to this problem and take effective measures to protect the health of ourselves and our families. Only in this way can we truly stay away from the poison of betel nut and have a healthy life.