A few days ago, a news piece of news swept through the entire online platform; A 36-year-old singer died of oral cancer, and the direct cause of his illness was "chewing betel nuts". I have shared the "dangers of betel nut" more than once, but there are still many people who take it for good. Indeed, more than 40% of young and middle-aged people in Hunan are chewing betel nuts, and the mainland Hainan, Guangxi and other places themselves are still the production areas of betel nuts; Although betel nut has a special taste, although eating betel nut is called "a unique hobby of Asians", this substance should not be the "culprit" that restricts our health; To identify the dangers of betel nut and prevent oral cancer, you should be healthy.
Betel nut is the real "class of carcinogens":
In 2003, the World Health Organization's International Center for Research on Cancer (IARC) clearly classified betel nut as a "class I carcinogen", it is worth noting that arsenic, aflatoxin, alcohol, Chinese salted fish also belong to this level, and the definition of "class I carcinogens" is "determined to be carcinogenic".
In 2017, the State Food and Drug Administration (now renamed the State Administration for Market Regulation after institutional reform) translated WHO's "Complete List of Carcinogens" and classified betel nut as "Class I carcinogens".
In 2019, the General Office of the National Health Commission issued the Action Plan for Healthy Oral Health (2019-2025), which clearly stated that "the examination of oral health should be strengthened in areas where there is a habit of chewing betel nut".
Why is betel nut so amazing and addictive as soon as you eat it?
Betel nut is rich in arecine, its intake will stimulate the secretion of endogenous adrenal corticosteroids in the body, which will cause the pituitary gland to release more adrenocorticotropic hormone, and then the adrenal glands will produce more adrenal corticosteroids, and the human body will become excited. Similar to tobacco (nicotine), alcohol (alcohol), and caffeine, betel nut also belongs to the "fourth category of psychoactive substances".
Why does betel nut cause cancer?
First, betel nut is a substance with a special taste, which contains betel nut-specific nitrosamines, betel nut tanning, alkaloids, clove polyphenols, active oxidants and other chemicals, and these substances and related metabolites have clear genotoxicity and cytotoxicity, and some can directly cause cancer. The arecine (belonging to alkaloids) contained in betel nut has accounted for 1% of the net weight of dried betel nut, and the alkaloids represented by areca nut will promote apoptosis of epithelial cells, thereby increasing the risk of inflammation, and will also interfere with the precipitation and degradation process of extracellular matrix macromolecules such as collagen, causing damage to the oral cavity with chemical action.
Second, betel nut is a "chewing very prickly substance", which is because the betel nut fiber contained in it is particularly rough, and the chewing process will inevitably damage the oral mucosa and teeth, which will lead to oral submucosal fibrosis and oral leukoplakia, which is "physical damage of betel nut", seemingly ordinary, but long-term chewing will have a high risk of malignant transformation. As the number of betel nut chewing increases, the damage in the mouth will inevitably continue to heal for a long time, and then the formation of local chronic damage in the oral cavity, increasing the frequency of oral mucosal cell shedding, inducing chronic inflammation, cell increase, and more serious oral cancer.
One is chemical damage, the other is physical damage, the two meet, the entire carcinogenic process will become relatively hidden; Of course, when multiple mechanisms meet, the longer and more times you eat betel nut, the greater the damage to the oral cavity, and the higher the risk of oral cancer and other diseases, please be clear and pay attention.
Moreover, not only oral cancer, chewing betel nut can also increase the risk of tongue cancer, esophageal cancer, throat cancer, liver cancer and other cancers; In addition, there is relevant evidence that "people who chew betel nut have a higher risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, obesity, type 2 diabetes, gastritis, chronic kidney disease, liver cirrhosis and other diseases". After listening to this, do you still want to (dare) eat betel nuts?
"Betel nut", please do not taste at will, "consumption tips" about betel nut:
First of all, betel nut is a class of carcinogens recognized in the world, which increases the risk of a variety of cancers after consumption, and cancer can induce death; For betel nuts, it is not recommended that everyone touch them if they can not eat them, and it is irrational to "take risks by yourself".
Secondly, betel nut is an addiction, if you are already addicted to betel nut, you need to quit as soon as possible, eat as little as you can.
Finally, the food is diverse and nutritionally balanced, and it is recommended that you eat more fresh and healthy ingredients such as fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts and other fresh and healthy ingredients in your life, replace betel nuts with nutritious food, and develop good eating habits.
To refuse betel nut and prevent oral cancer, you need to start with multiple steps:
- Pay strict attention to oral hygiene and develop good living habits:
Brush your teeth frequently and correctly, clean your teeth regularly, remove calculus scientifically, and pay attention to oral health. Control the intake of sweets, rinse your mouth or brush your teeth as soon as possible after eating sweets; Do not use teeth to cap the bottle to avoid long-term irritation and damage to the mouth caused by sharp objects.
- Pay attention to dietary hygiene and nutrition, and cultivate good eating habits:
Comply with the Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents (2022 Edition) and eat more than 12 kinds of foods a day to promote balanced nutrition with a diversified diet; Pay attention to food safety and hygiene, eat fresh and clean food, and do not eat any spoiled food; Improve "food quotient", eat less and buy less food, eat and buy now, avoid surplus and waste, and reduce the risk of food poisoning.
- Refuse bad habits and get regular medical checkups:
Stay away from betel nut, tobacco and other harmful substances to reduce the risk of oral diseases; Protect the mouth, pay attention to the temperature of meals, do not eat hot food, drink warm boiled water close to body temperature, and avoid irritation and damage to the mouth and esophagus. To care for the oral cavity, we should "have regular physical examinations", respect our own body, detect and cure early, and prevent oral diseases.
At the end of the article, remember eight words: For health, stay away from betel nuts.
Note: Wang Silu's original article, if reprinted, please inform me; The picture comes from the Internet, if there is infringement, please inform to delete.