Areca nut

The areca nut (/ˈærɪkə/ or /əˈriːkə/) is the seed of the areca palm (Areca catechu), which grows in much of the tropical Pacific (Melanesia and Micronesia), Southeast and South Asia, and parts of east Africa. It is commonly referred to as betel nut, not to be confused with betel (Piper betle) leaves that are often used to wrap it (a preparation known as paan). The term areca originated from the Malayalam word aṭaykka (അടയ്ക്ക) and dates back to the 16th century when Dutch and Portuguese sailors took the nut from Kerala to Europe. Consumption has many harmful and is carcinogenic to humans. Various compounds present in the nut, including arecoline (the primary psychoactive ingredient which is similar to nicotine), contribute to histologic changes in the oral mucosa. It is known to be a majo

Areca nut

The areca nut (/ˈærɪkə/ or /əˈriːkə/) is the seed of the areca palm (Areca catechu), which grows in much of the tropical Pacific (Melanesia and Micronesia), Southeast and South Asia, and parts of east Africa. It is commonly referred to as betel nut, not to be confused with betel (Piper betle) leaves that are often used to wrap it (a preparation known as paan). The term areca originated from the Malayalam word aṭaykka (അടയ്ക്ക) and dates back to the 16th century when Dutch and Portuguese sailors took the nut from Kerala to Europe. Consumption has many harmful and is carcinogenic to humans. Various compounds present in the nut, including arecoline (the primary psychoactive ingredient which is similar to nicotine), contribute to histologic changes in the oral mucosa. It is known to be a majo