Areca Nut Vs. Betel Nut

Betel nut describes a combination of ingredients that includes the seed or nut from an Areca catechu palm tree. The nuts are chewed in many parts of Asia, Madagascar and the Pacific Islands. Betel nut and Areca nut are names for the same seed.

Areca Catechu

• Growing as tall as 100 feet, Areca catechu is a tall, thin palm tree primarily found in eastern Africa, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. The tree grows in tropical climates with evenly distributed rainfall. Each tree can produce 5.5 to 17.6 lbs. of seeds annually.

Betel Nut

• Betel nut is combined with lime, the leaf of Areca catechu and other ingredients like cinnamon, tobacco or cloves before chewing. Some Asian and Pacific cultures have elaborate ceremonies and ritualize chewing betel nut.

Stimulant

• Considered a mild stimulant, betel nut is used to enlist a state of euphoria and to increase energy. According to the U.S. Library of Medicine, consumption of 8 to 30 grams of betel nut may be fatal.

Other Side Effects

• Some of the compounds released by chewing betel nut are potential carcinogens and may contribute to a high incidence of oral cancer in the region where it is popular. Acute side effects include low blood pressure, rapid heart rate and nausea.