Chew on this.As an occasional betel nut chewer, I note that the report "Palm-Nut Problem" (SN: 1/15/05, p. 43) doesn't touch on possible positive aspects of the habit. Chewing sapari (coarsely powdered, sweetened sweet·en v. sweet·ened, sweet·en·ing, sweet·ens v.tr. 1. To make sweet or sweeter by adding sugar, honey, saccharin, or another sweet substance. 2. To make more pleasant or agreeable. , and clove-flavored areca nut areca nut (  ·rēˑ·k ) at the end of a meal leads to a sense of satisfaction and well-being, induces salivation salivation /sal·i·va·tion/ (sal?i-va´shun)1. the secretion of saliva. 2. ptyalism. sal·i·va·tion n. 1. The act or process of secreting saliva. 2. , and freshens the mouth. Areca nut also contains lots of phenolics that could act as antioxidants Antioxidants Substances that reduce the damage of the highly reactive free radicals that are the byproducts of the cells. Mentioned in: Aging, Nutritional Supplements antioxidants, n. and capturers of free radicals. Hence, the nut pieces could be anticancer agents! S.N. BALASUBRAMANIAN, BANGALORE, INDIA |
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