19502

As an occasional betel nut chewer, I note that this report doesn’t touch on possible positive aspects of the habit. Chewing sapari (coarsely powdered, sweetened, and clove-flavored areca nut) at the end of a meal leads to a sense of satisfaction and well-being, induces salivation, and freshens the mouth. Areca nut also contains lots of phenolics that could act as antioxidants and capturers of free radicals.