Table of contents:
- Get to know the tradition of chewing in Indonesia
- The benefits of chewing
- The danger of chewing
- 1. Oral cancer
- 2. Wounds in the oral cavity
- 3. Disorders of the fetus
When visiting cities in eastern Indonesia or villages on the island of Java, don't be surprised if you are treated to betel leaves and areca seeds. For some Indonesians, chewing has become an ingrained lifestyle and tradition. Almost everyone in a certain village or city, even children. So, a smile adorned with red or purplish teeth from beteling is not a strange sight. Because of the widespread tradition of chewing, experts try to learn more about the benefits and dangers of chewing for health. Check out the following information to find out about medical views on the tradition of chewing.
Get to know the tradition of chewing in Indonesia
Chewing is a habit that has been known to people in Southeast Asia for centuries. It is not known exactly when the ancestors started this habit. For betel nut, Indonesian people will usually pound, crush, or split betel nuts. After that, the areca seeds will be rolled or wrapped in betel leaves.
As a flavor enhancer, sometimes people add spices, lime juice, lime, or tobacco. The ingredients will then be chewed and sipped. The taste is so unique, which is a bit spicy, spicy, and sweet.
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The benefits of chewing
Betel is believed to be good for maintaining healthy teeth and the digestive system. This is because chewing betel leaves and areca seeds can trigger the production of saliva. Saliva contains various types of protein and minerals that are good for maintaining strong teeth and preventing gum disease. In addition, saliva always cleans teeth and gums from food debris or dirt.
For your digestive system, saliva functions to bind and soften food. That way, you can swallow and deliver food to the esophagus, intestines, and stomach smoothly. This certainly helps your digestive system work easier.
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In addition, betel is also believed to be a source of energy. The reason is, betel nuts contain psychoactive substances that are very similar to nicotine, alcohol and caffeine. The body will produce the hormone adrenaline. You also feel more refreshed, alert, and energized.
The danger of chewing
Although the tradition of chewing can be beneficial, public health experts are starting to raise concerns about the dangers of chewing. From the reports of the researchers, it is known that chewing has the risk of causing various diseases that cannot be underestimated, such as cancer. The following is an explanation of the dangers of chewing for health.
1. Oral cancer
Reporting from the official website of the World Health Organization (WHO), chewing has a high risk of causing cancer, especially in the mouth area. This conclusion is based on research conducted by the International Agency for Research on Cancer in South and Southeast Asia.
It turns out that a mixture of betel leaf, areca nut, lime, and tobacco is carcinogenic (triggers cancer). If consumed too often for a long period of time, you are prone to developing oral cancer, esophageal (esophageal) cancer, throat cancer, laryngeal cancer, and cheek cancer.
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2. Wounds in the oral cavity
Chewing betel nut increases your risk of developing oral mucosal lesions, which are the appearance of sores (lesions) in the oral cavity. Sores or irritation is formed because the mixture of the ingredients in the betel nut is very harsh on the mouth. Especially if chewing has become a habit that cannot be stopped. The bad effects also appear more quickly and are difficult to handle.
If it is severe enough, this condition causes your mouth to feel stiff and in the end your jaw will be difficult to move. Until now, there is no medicine that can cure oral mucosal lesions. The treatment offered is only able to relieve the symptoms that appear.
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3. Disorders of the fetus
It is not widely known that pregnant women should be aware of the dangers of beteling. Chewing during pregnancy carries the risk of causing genetic changes in fetal DNA. The genetic changes caused by betel-eating endanger the uterus, just as smoking can cause fetal defects. Pregnant women who betel also run the risk of giving birth to babies under normal weight. Therefore, WHO and public health experts urge pregnant women not to betray.
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