The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 271 No 7261 p169
9 August 2003

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International Agency for Research on Cancer (www.iarc.fr)

Betel and areca are carcinogenic

Chewing betel quid, even without tobacco, is carcinogenic to humans, says the International Agency for Research on Cancer following an evaluation of published studies. The agency also concludes that the areca nut, a component of betel quid and other products that are chewed, is carcinogenic. Betel quid generally consists of betel leaf (from the Piper betel vine), areca nut (from the Areca catechu tree), and slaked lime (predominantly calcium hydroxide), to which tobacco is often added.