Narcologist warned about heart problems when eating betel nuts

The use of betel nuts can provoke the development of addiction, problems with the oral cavity, heart and gastrointestinal tract (gastrointestinal tract). This was announced by the press service of the Ministry of Health of the Moscow region on Friday, November 7.

Vitaly Holdin, chief freelance specialist, psychiatrist and narcologist at the Ministry of Health of the Moscow Region, noted that betel nut, which has intoxicating properties, is known in Asia.

"I would like to note that in some countries a ban on the use of betel nut for such purposes has already been introduced. A person who uses betel nuts quickly develops an addiction akin to drug addiction. Teeth deteriorate, tooth enamel and gums are damaged, bad breath appears, gastrointestinal disorders begin, there is a risk of developing malignancies of the oral cavity, blood pressure increases and heart rate increases, anxiety, insomnia and other disorders appear on the part of the nervous system," the Moscow City News agency quotes the expert.

He added that swallowing betel nut is life-threatening, as severe poisoning can occur.

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This food may pose a health threat.

Earlier that day, Rospotrebnadzor took control of media reports about the sale of health-threatening betel nuts on marketplaces, according to the website. kp.ru .

The agency has sent an appeal to the Association of Online Trading Companies (AKIT), so that it, in turn, prevents the sale of products by online market participants that do not comply with the requirements of Russian legislation and potentially pose health risks, writes Moscow 24.

In turn, State Duma deputy Sultan Khamzaev appealed to Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova with a request to ban the free sale of betel nuts with psychoactive effects, which can be purchased on marketplaces. In addition, the parliamentarian proposed to include betel nut in the list of prohibited substances. He also stressed the need to allow only certified products under Russian jurisdiction to marketplaces in order to avoid similar incidents in the future.

Gastroenterologist Ekaterina Kashukh, PhD, an expert doctor at the Hemotest laboratory, warned in an interview with RT that binlan, or betel nut, is a complex of biologically active substances, the main of which is the alkaloid arecoline. It is he who causes mild euphoria and cheerfulness, but the negative impact on health is much stronger.

On the eve of the narcologist, psychotherapist, member of the National Narcological League Vasily Shurov said that the use of betel nut, also known as binlan, causes serious dependence, and also leads to tooth loss and esophageal cancer. Among the signs of eating betel nut are red—stained teeth, overexcitation, sleep disorders, decreased appetite, glistening eyes and dilated pupils.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.