From the archive record
Bunch of Areca nut or betet nuts are hanging on from the palm ready for harvest in Kerala, India. The areca nut is the seed of the areca palm (Areca catechu), which grows in much of the tropical Pacific, Asia, and parts of east Africa. It is commonly referred to as betel nut, as it is often chewed wrapped in betel leaves (paan). The International Agency for Research on Cancer concluded that chewing areca nut is carcinogenic to humans after reviewing the published medical research. Various compounds present in the nut, most importantly arecoline, contribute to histologic changes in the oral mucosa. As with chewing tobacco, its use is discouraged by preventive efforts. The areca nut is not a true nut, but rather a drupe. It is commercially available in dried, cured and fresh forms. While fr