PUNE: The recent initiative by Maharashtra Government to impose ban on gutka and pan masala in the state has lead the gutkha addicts to switch to other similar addictions. With the enforcement of this ban, people are switching to supari, (which is also called as areca nut / betelnut) whether in its plain form or products made of it.
In the year 2004, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) of World Health Organisation (WHO) has classified areca nut (supari) as carcinogenic to humans. This means, chewing of Supari can also cause cancer, even though the contents of supari do not have tobacco or magnesium carbonate added to it.
The Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 makes it compulsory for all packets of supari and its products to mention a warning which says 'chewing of supari is injurious to health'. However, this mandate is not followed by many supari brands and hence its users are not warned of the fatal dangers.
"The habit of chewing of supari, if it lasts for years, could lead to a series of hazardous effects. Like, altered speech, increased sensitivity to heat, cold and spices, etc. Direct and repeated contact of supari with the gums, cause them to recede, which in turn results in loosening of teeth," said oral physician Alok Lathi.
Increase in mouth ulcers and rotting of the gums is also caused by betel nut chewing. These effects are termed as 'areca nut chewer's syndrome'. These symptoms have no remedy and have horrifying consequences, he added.
"Supari contains alkaloids and polyphenols which are cancer causing chemicals. Use of Supari or its products on regular basis can cause various harmful effects on the human body," Lathi said.
In the year 2004, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) of World Health Organisation (WHO) has classified areca nut (supari) as carcinogenic to humans. This means, chewing of Supari can also cause cancer, even though the contents of supari do not have tobacco or magnesium carbonate added to it.
The Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 makes it compulsory for all packets of supari and its products to mention a warning which says 'chewing of supari is injurious to health'. However, this mandate is not followed by many supari brands and hence its users are not warned of the fatal dangers.
"The habit of chewing of supari, if it lasts for years, could lead to a series of hazardous effects. Like, altered speech, increased sensitivity to heat, cold and spices, etc. Direct and repeated contact of supari with the gums, cause them to recede, which in turn results in loosening of teeth," said oral physician Alok Lathi.
Increase in mouth ulcers and rotting of the gums is also caused by betel nut chewing. These effects are termed as 'areca nut chewer's syndrome'. These symptoms have no remedy and have horrifying consequences, he added.
"Supari contains alkaloids and polyphenols which are cancer causing chemicals. Use of Supari or its products on regular basis can cause various harmful effects on the human body," Lathi said.
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