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Concept
Areca nut
Summary
The areca nut (ˈærᵻkə or əˈriːkə) is the fruit of the areca palm (Areca catechu), which grows in much of the tropical Pacific (Melanesia and Micronesia), South Asia, Southeast 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 betel nut chewing). Consumption has many harmful effects on health 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 major risk factor for cancers (squamous cell carcinoma) of the mouth and esophagus. As with chewing tobacco, use is discouraged by preventive efforts. Consumption by hundreds of millions of people worldwide – mainly of South Asian or Southeast Asian origins – has been described as a "neglected global public health emergency".
The term areca originated from Dravidian languages, cognates of which are:
അടയ്ക്ക
ಅಡಿಕೆ
அடைக்காய்
The terms dates back to the 16th century when Dutch and Portuguese sailors took the nut from India to Europe.
It is also known as Elaus in Palau.
Areca catechu nuts at Kadavoor.jpg|Areca fruits hanging from the tree.
Bago, mercado 23.jpg|A pile of areca nuts.
Areca Nut Plantation in Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu, India. (4600092222).jpg|Areca nut plantation in India.
Betal-nut.jpg|Areca Nuts, also known as "Betal Nuts", plants in Nepal. These types of nuts are commonly found in the Terai region of Nepal.
Betel nut merchant.jpg|Betel nut saleswoman ([[Vanimo]], [[Papua New Guinea]])
The areca nut is not a true nut, but rather the seed of a fruit categorized as a berry. It is commercially available in dried, cured, and fresh forms. When the husk of the fresh fruit is green, the nut inside is soft enough to be cut with a typical knife. In the ripe fruit, the husk becomes yellow or orange, and as it dries, the fruit inside hardens to a wood-like consistency.
Official source
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