Betel nut: Is a tropical palm fruit that

Betel nut is a tropical palm fruit that is chewed with tobacco and lime for its stimulating effects. It may have some medical uses, but it can also cause DNA damage, cancer, and other health problems. Betel chewing is a habit of an estimated one-tenth of the world’s population, and betel is the fourth most common psychoactive drug in the world, following nicotine, alcohol, and caffeine. Explore detailed insights on betel nut export from India, key markets, top exporters, HSN codes, production stats, and trade data for 2023-24. Areca nuts 19th century drawing of the Areca palm and its nut The areca nut (/ ˈærɪkə / or / əˈriːkə /) or betel nut (/ ˈbiːtəl /) is the fruit of the areca palm (Areca catechu). The palm is originally native to the Philippines, [1][2] but was carried widely through the tropics by the Austronesian migrations and trade since at least 1500 BCE due to its use in betel nut chewing. [1] It is widespread in cultivation and is considered naturalized in much of the tropical Pacific ...