Meyron

Reference summary — not medical advice or a personal risk estimate.

Betel quid

Group 1 — carcinogenic to humansFood & DrinkdietaryEvidence: sufficient_in_humans

Summary

Chewing betel quid (with or without tobacco) is associated with increased oral and esophageal cancer risk.

Detail

Betel quid is a chewed preparation of areca nut and slaked lime, often wrapped in a betel leaf, common across South and Southeast Asia. IARC classifies betel quid both with and without tobacco as Group 1 with sufficient evidence for cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx and esophagus.

Regional relevance

south_asiasoutheast_asia

regional

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Sources

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