Effect of Betel (Areca) Nut Chewing on Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide: A Pilot Study

• Main Authors: Yi-Chieh Kuo, Francis Fu-Sheng Wu, Ying-Chung Lee, Theodore Rong-Yei Lin, Julian Crane, Robert Siebers
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) Health Organization 2018-10-01
• Series: The International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
• Subjects: Areca; Nitric oxide; Respiratory system; Asthma
• Online Access: http://www.theijoem.com/ijoem/index.php/ijoem/article/view/1334

Betel (areca) nuts are extensively chewed in many countries. This has been associated with respiratory symptoms. We aimed to determine whether betel nut chewing is associated with acute changes in fractional exhaled nitric oxide, a non-invasive marker of airway inflammation. Betel nut chewing resulted in an immediate significant decline in fractional exhaled nitric oxide levels that persisted for up to 180 minutes. This effect has to be taken into account in epidemiological studies, reference ranges, and patient preparation.