Women health


 Betel Leaf: What Is It?

Since ancient times, betel leaf has been utilized in religious ceremonies in India because it is seen as lucky. The Piperaceae family of plants includes the heart-shaped, dark green betel leaf. "Piper betle" is the official scientific name of betel leaf.

Betel leaves sometimes referred to as "paan leaves" in India, are consumed by about 15-20 million people. Sri Lanka, India, Malaysia, East Africa, the Philippine Islands, and Indonesia are among the countries that grow betel leaves. It can be found throughout India in places like Bengal, Orissa, Bihar, and Karnataka. Betel leaf often referred to as "paan ka Patta," is frequently used as a mouth freshener due to its potent, pungent flavor.

Betel Leaf Nutritional Composition

Betel leaf has high moisture content and a low-calorie count because it is made up of between 85 and 90 percent water. Betel leaves only have 44 calories per 100 grams. It is a low-fat and moderate-protein food because it only includes 0.4–1% fat and 3-3.5% protein.

Additionally, the betel leaf has moderate concentrations of important nutrients such nicotinic acid (0.63-0.89 mg/100 grams), iodine (3.4 mcg/100 grams), potassium (1.1-4.6%), vitamin A (1.9-2.9 mg/100 grams), vitamin B1 (13-70 mcg/100 grams), and vitamin B2 (1.9-30 mcg/100 grams).

In addition to these nutrients, betel leaves also include chemical elements and essential oils such as chavicol, eugenol, terpene, and camphene. These chemical elements have therapeutic qualities that aid in the management and treatment of a variety of illnesses and disorders.

BETEL LEAF BENEFITS

1. Diabetes medication

The liver and kidneys are eventually affected by a variety of anti-diabetic medications. People with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus can lower their blood glucose levels by consuming dry betel leaf powder, according to research, and there are no negative side effects to this herbal therapy.

Due to ongoingly high blood glucose levels, people with diabetes have substantial levels of oxidative stress (hyperglycemia). Such high blood glucose levels weaken the body's natural antioxidant defenses and further inactivate antioxidant enzymes. An excellent antioxidant source is betel leaf, which scavenges free radicals to combat oxidative stress. Betel leaf hence aids in the control of diabetes mellitus and lowers excessive blood glucose levels.

2. Reduces High Cholesterol Levels

Heart disease and stroke are both in danger because of high cholesterol levels. According to studies, betel leaf reduces high levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol. In addition, it aids in raising HDL cholesterol levels. Eugenol, a naturally occurring antioxidant that dissipates free radicals, is responsible for the betel leaf's lipid-lowering effects.

Additionally, eugenol prevents the liver's ability to make cholesterol and lessens intestinal lipid absorption. The breakdown of "bad" LDL cholesterol is further increased. High levels of triglycerides and cholesterol are excreted as bile acids after being transported from plasma to the liver. Thus, betel leaves contribute to decreasing excessive lipid levels via a number of processes.

3. Cancer prevention agent

Oral cancer risk is increased when betel levels are combined with cigarettes and betel nuts. However, betel leaf alone is a source of phenolic chemicals that have anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, anti-mutagenic and antioxidant activities. Betel leaves have been shown to have chemo-preventive potential against many forms of cancer in studies.

Betel leaves also include a variety of phytochemicals, which are plant substances that promote health and can help prevent cancer. In the pathogenesis of cancer, oxidative stress plays a significant role. Antioxidants that combat free radicals and oxidative stress are abundant in betel leaves. Additionally, it prevents cancer cells from expanding and spreading to various body organs.

4. An antibacterial agent

Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are three dangerous bacteria that the essential oil found in betel leaves has antibacterial efficacy against. Additionally, the betel leaves' phenolic and phytochemical content aids in their ability to defend against both gram-positive and gram-negative germs.

5. Promotes Wound Healing

Studies have shown that betel leaves to aid in the healing of wounds. Further research revealed that betel leaf extract has a powerful impact on burn wound healing. Wound healing is delayed by higher levels of oxidative stress. Antioxidants can be found in abundance in betel leaf. These anti-oxidants lessen oxidative stress and additionally aid in speedy wound healing. As a result, the betel leaf accelerates wound contraction and total protein content, acting as a protective agent in the healing process.

6. Asthmatic Treatment

It is well known that asthma is an inflammatory disease. Because betel leaf has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, it aids in the treatment and management of asthma. Asthma is largely brought on by histamine, an inflammatory mediator. Histamine produces bronchoconstriction, a symptom of asthma in which the smooth muscles in the lungs contract, narrowing the airways in the lungs. According to research, the anti-histaminic properties of betel leaves may be a contributing factor in the decline in bronchial asthma cases. Additionally, betel oil and the polyphenols in betel leaf have anti-inflammatory characteristics that contribute to a decrease in asthma cases.

7. Helps in Combating Depression

A psychiatric disease called depression affects about 5% of the world's population. According to research, herbal remedies like chewing betel leaves have been utilized as CNS (central nervous system) stimulants since ancient times in addition to anti-depressant medications. Further research revealed that chewing betel leaves results in feelings of contentment, well-being, and increased attentiveness. In addition, betel leaves contain aromatic phenolic chemicals that promote catecholamine release. Low levels of catecholamines in the body are strongly associated with an elevated risk of depression. Therefore, chewing betel leaves is a simple method to combat depression.

8. Enhances Dental Health

Infections in the mouth and dental caries are brought on by pathogens. According to studies, chewing betel leaves can stop bacteria from multiplying and acting. Betel leaf is widely used as a breath refresher and as an alternative to medications for infections of the mouth or teeth. When people ingest sugary meals and beverages, the bacteria in tooth biofilm are reacted to by acid. Betel leaf protects against dental cavities by blocking the acid produced by salivary bacteria.

9. Gastro suppressive Activity

Studies have revealed that chewing betel leaf is an age-old folk treatment for gastric ulcers. The formation of gastric mucus is decreased, the degree of oxidative stress is raised, and the gut's inner lining is damaged by ulcer-causing agents. Betel leaves suppress the growth of gastric lesions, boost gastric mucus production (a crucial component in protecting against ulcer-causing substances), and decrease the amount of gastric acid output. Antioxidant and anti-ulcerogenic activities can be found in the phytochemicals and polyphenols found in betel leaf. By shielding the inner layer of the gut from toxins and other irritants, they lessen overall harm.

10. Malaria Treatment

According to studies, betel leaves were once utilized as a malaria treatment in the countryside of Malaysia. Terpenes, a substance found in betel leaves that promotes health, has anti-malarial capabilities. Betel leaf flavonoids have potent anti-parasitic properties that are effective against several malaria parasite strains. As a result, betel leaves contain brand-new anti-malarial substances that can be utilized to combat malaria.

 

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