Betel Nut – sources, health benefits, nutrients, uses and constituents at NaturalPedia.com

Thursday, August 24, 2017 by Earl Garcia

Betel nuts are the seeds of the betel palm fruit. The hardy betel palm tree is commonly seen in tropical and sub-tropical regions and may grow up to 20 meters. According to the Live Strong website, betel nut is a combination of three ingredients: pieces of betel palm fruit, betel palm leaves, and powdered slaked lime or limestone paste. These ingredients are usually consumed as a therapeutic as well as recreational drug.

List of known nutrients

Betel nut contains a vast number of nutrients and other components that contribute to its powerful disease-fighting properties. According to the Herbpathy website, these constituents include:

Alanine
Amino Acid
Aspartic Acid
Beta-Sitosterol
Cadinene
Calcium
Carotene
Chavibetol
Cineole
Diosgenin
Eugenol
Glycine
L arginene
Leucine
Maltose
Nicotinic Acid
Oxalic Acid
Phenylalanine
Proline
Protein
Riboflavin
Serine
Stearic Acid
Stigmasterol
Tannins
Threonine
Tyrosine
Vitamin A
Vitamin B12
Vitamin C

Medicinal uses for betel nut

Betel nut is commonly used as a remedy for oral conditions. The nuts contain powerful antibacterial properties against certain strains of bacteria. Chewing on betel nuts are known to stave off cavities and tooth decay. It also helps improve saliva production and relieve dry mouth that stems from adverse conditions such as diabetes and Sjogren’s syndrome.

Betel nut is used to improve schizophrenia as well. According to the Health Benefits Times website, the nuts are found to alleviate symptoms of the mental disorder. Eating betel nuts has also been linked to positive mood and feelings of euphoria. This is due to the psychoactive substances found in betel nuts. Likewise, betel nuts are shown to contain potent antidepressant properties that help improve the nervous system’s overall health. People who suffered brain injuries are also found to have a positive response towards betel nut treatment.

Stroke patients may also reap great benefits from eating betel nuts. An article posted on the Only My Health website notes that betel nuts are notably effective in promoting speech, bladder control, and muscle strength in patients who have had a stroke. The nuts are known to control hypertension as well. The tannins in betel nuts are shown to inhibit both angiotensin I and II, which in turn effectively regulates the body’s blood pressure levels. The nuts are also touted for its pharmacological effects against anemia.

Betel nuts are widely used treatments for various digestive issues too. Aside from its oral care benefits, betel nuts are also used as a vermifuge to eliminate stomach worms such as tapeworms and roundworms. The arecoline in betel nuts are also known to promote blood sugar control and prevent the onset of diabetes. Other digestive issues address by betel nuts include indigestion, diarrhea, dysentery, and stomach aches.

Moreover, betel nuts possess strong immunomodulatory properties as well as potent antioxidant effects that stave off cellular degeneration. Betel nuts are also known to reduce excess heat.

Body systems supported by betel nut

Betel nut is best known for their beneficial effects on oral health and nervous system function. The nuts are also found to improve both the cardiac and digestive profiles of the body. Betel nuts effectively fortify the immune system as well.

Ways to use betel nut

Betel nuts are neither eaten raw nor cooked like regular nuts. According to the BBC website, the nuts undergo a commercial process in order to be safely consumed. Betel nuts are shelled, boiled, and sun-dried then crushed with lime and an astringent. They are commonly used in making the traditional Indian food paan. An article posted on the Awesome Cuisine website features an interesting betel nut mixture recipe that goes well with paan.