01/11/2019 / By Zoey Sky
Since ancient times, people from certain locations such as Africa and Asia have customarily chewed areca (betel) nuts to strengthen community ties. According to a study, the areca nut, which comes from the areca palm (Areca catechu), may also possess anti-cancer properties.
The study, which used mice models to test the anti-cancer properties of the nuts, was published in the journal Molecular Cell.
The habit of chewing areca nuts can help clean and strengthen teeth, but the study has proven that green and yellow areca nuts also contain an active substance called arecoline. Study findings also suggest that the nuts may help protect against the Warburg effect, which refers to a condition where cancer cells grow rapidly. (Related: Emerging research shows that a natural citrus fruit extract can prevent cancer growth.)
The researchers explained that arecoline substances in areca nuts can help inhibit the growth of cancer cells, especially in conditions such as leukemia and lung cancer. Based on study findings, after the mice that were previously given cancer cell leukemia and lung cancer were administered an injection of arecoline substances, cancer growth significantly slowed down.
The team of researchers said, “Uniquely, these arecoline substances do not affect the growth of normal blood cells.” They added that the areca nuts must be studied further to verify the current findings.
The researchers concluded that arecoline is a “powerful and selective anti-cancer substance” and that it can potentially be used to develop a natural and effective cure for cancer.
Aside from its anti-cancer properties, studies have shown that areca nuts offer other benefits.
Areca nuts, which are also known as betel nuts, comes from the areca tree.
You can read more articles about areca nuts and other natural anti-cancer treatments at Cancer.news.
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Tagged Under: areca, Areca catechu, areca nuts, areca palm, arecoline, Betel nut, cancer risk reduction, leukemia, lung cancer, men's health, natural cures, Warburg effect, women's health