Rethinking Paan: Can Betel Quid Roughage Support Microbiome Health and Prevent Cancer

Author(s): Dr. Sharadendu Bali

Abstract:

Betel quid is made by placing certain spices and diced areca nut onto a betel leaf, and folding the leaf in order to create an envelope like quid. The quid is consumed either plain or in a sweetened form, the latter gaining its sweetness from the addition of crushed, sugared rose petals, much like rose jam. In the sweetened quid, the inclusion of rose jam (gulkand) has been shown to selectively suppress harmful gut bacteria while sparing beneficial strains such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. This prebiotic-like activity is attributed to hydrolyzable tannins like rugosin D and tellimagradin II. Chlorophyll present in betel leaf exhibits antioxidant and anticancer effects by neutralizing free radicals, minimizing DNA damage, and binding to carcinogens to reduce their uptake in the digestive tract. Additionally, a study investigated the impact of areca nut and its bioactive constituents on gut microbiota and lipid metabolism in mice fed a high-fat diet. Their findings showed that areca nut polyphenols promoted the growth of beneficial microbes such as Akkermansia and suppressed pathogenic ones like Ruminococcus. Thus, betel quid components lead to a healthy gut microbiome.

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