- Betel nut is consumed in dried, processed and sweetened forms.
- It is also a part of the betel quid where its slices are wrapped in betel leaf with slaked lime, cardamom and other flavorings.
- People often add tobacco in the betel quid which packs a double punch.
- Betel nut chewing is quite popular in South Asian and the Pacific Basin countries. It has been in practice for centuries and is an essential part of religious and social practices in these areas. It is used in Indian Ayurved as well as Chinese traditional medicines to treat certain ailments. Used in controlled doses in these traditional medicines, betel nut or Areca nut provides certain health benefits. However what makes betel nut chewing harmful is its random and regular use as a mouth freshner, energy booster or just as a socially learned habit.