In recent years, the word "betel nut" has frequently appeared in people's field of vision, but most of them are accompanied by shocking words such as "carcinogenic" and "ulcerated all over the body".
It is known as the saying that "eating betel nut is bloody in exchange".
The betel nut, a plant from the tropical rainforest, once swept the country with its unique flavor, but when people began to realize its health hazards, it paid a heavy price.
In 2021, the famous Internet celebrity Robin van Persie was diagnosed with tongue cancer, and the reason for all this was betel nut.
The continuous use of betel nut caused a lesion in his throat.
Although he underwent surgery, he was unable to completely abstain from betel nut, and the disease recurred shortly after the operation.
The malicious invasion of cancer cells made him skinny and made it more and more difficult to speak.
Van Persie paid high medical bills for treatment, but in the end, he was unable to overcome the disease.
In April 2023, at the age of 41, he passed away.
Van Persie's experience is by no means unique, and another Internet celebrity who is also deeply harmed by betel nut is "Brother Zhang".
Brother Zhang has a history of chewing betel nut for nearly ten years, and it was not until a lump appeared on his cheek that he woke up like a dream.
However, at this time, the lesion had developed into oral cancer, and in order to save his life, Brother Zhang underwent a "face-cutting" operation and removed half of the tissues of his face.
Although his condition was under control after the operation, and he also called on various platforms to stay away from betel nut, he passed away one day in December 2023 due to complications.
The experience of "Brother Binbin" is also embarrassing.
At first, Bin Bin Ge only chewed one occasionally to refresh himself, but gradually, the unique taste and slightly drunken feeling of betel nut made him addicted and unable to extricate himself.
It wasn't until a foreign body appeared in his mouth that he began to face up to the dangers of betel nut and shot a video calling on everyone to quit betel nut.
However, the long-term use of betel nut has long been a bane in his body.
In April 2024, multiple recurrences of oral cancer claimed his life at the age of 36.
Behind these shocking cases is the common journey of many betel nut users.
Many people have been infected with the habit of chewing betel nut since they were teenagers, and the unique flavor and moderate excitement of betel nut fruit make them want to stop, even if they know the danger, it is difficult to completely quit.
By the time symptoms such as mouth sores and white spots appear, it is often a precursor to cancer, and it is too late.
Contemporary medical research has shown that betel nut fruit contains a variety of carcinogens, and long-term consumption will greatly increase the risk of oral cancer, esophageal cancer, pancreatic cancer and other cancers.
Despite this, many betel nut users still have a fluke mentality, and they often deny the dangers of betel nut on the grounds that "my grandfather chewed betel nut all his life and didn't live to be over 90 years old".
But in fact, there are differences in the susceptibility of different individuals to carcinogens, and some people may be able to escape the catastrophe in their lifetime, but many others are not so lucky.
Moreover, in addition to the traditional lime, thorn leaves and other auxiliary materials, various flavors, candies, etc. are added to the modern processed betel nut products, which have a better taste, but also further increase their carcinogenic risk.
As one of the victims of betel nut, Ah Hong from Hunan decided to use his own personal experience to warn the world.
In his "Rebirth" video, Hong shows that he has amputated two-thirds of his tongue due to tongue cancer and uses an artificial tongue to pronounce it.
The trauma of the operation and the postoperative pain made Ah Hong sigh, "I really can't chew anymore, and if I chew again, I will die." "
At present, although Ah Hong's condition is under control, he knows that this is a huge price, and sincerely hopes that his experience will wake up more betel nut users and let them stay away from betel nut as soon as possible.
To sum up, betel nut is by no means a "fashion" or "leisure" choice, but a health killer hidden around us. Although abstaining from betel nut is not an easy task, we must make up our minds to stay away from it for the sake of our own health and that of our families.
Whether it stems from ignorance or luck, clinging to the habit of chewing betel nut is gambling with one's life.
Instead of tying your health and life to the small fruit of betel nut, it is better to let go of your obsession as soon as possible and embrace a better life.
The danger of betel nut, the alarm bell has sounded, I hope everyone can take warning, be responsible for life, and be responsible for health.
Reference Sources:
International Center for Research on Cancer: Areca Nut Recognized as a Class 1 Carcinogen-Chinese Academy of Sciences[2003-08-15]
https://www.cas.cn/xw/kjsm/gjdt/200308/t20030815_1007868.shtml
The carcinogenic components of betel nut were confirmed for the first time!Do you still dare to eat it?-Shenzhen News Network[2020-12-10]
https://www.sznews.com/news/content/2020-12/10/content_23796630.htm?v=pc