Why You Need to Quit Chewing Buai Now!
Health experts are very clear about how bad buai is for your health. For example, one study records:
“Regular, heavy use of betel nut may eventually cause:
– Discolouration of teeth and gums, sometimes turning them reddish brown
– Mouth ulcers and gum disease
– Oral cancers or submucous fibrosis (a pre-cancer condition)
– Stomach ulcers
– Heart disease
– Needing to use more to get the same effect
– Dependence on betel nut
– Financial, work, and social problems”[1]
Here is another:
“Research has revealed some serious health risks of betel nut. The WHO classifies betel nut as a carcinogen. Many studies have shown a convincing link between betel nut use and cancer of the mouth and esophagus. A study in the Journal of the American Dental Association reports that betel nut users are at a higher risk for oral submucous fibrosis. This incurable condition can cause stiffness in the mouth and eventually the loss of jaw movement. Regular chewing of betel nut can also cause gum irritation and tooth decay. Teeth may become permanently stained deep red or even black.
An early study published in the American Society for Clinical Nutrition found a strong connection between betel nut and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, and obesity.
Betel nut may interact with other drugs or herbal supplements. It could cause toxic reactions in the body or reduce the effects of medications. More testing is needed to determine just how betel nut affects other drugs. Regular betel nut use may also lead to dependency and withdrawal symptoms.”[2]
And one more:
“Pregnant and breast-feeding women have additional risks [from chewing betel nut]. Betel nut can affect the central nervous system and this might endanger a pregnancy. Chemicals in betel nut might pass into breast milk and harm a nursing infant. Stay on the safe side and avoid using betel nut if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.”[3]
[1] From Alcohol and Drug Foundation: adf.org.au/drug-facts/betel-nut/ accessed on 12 March, 2020.
[2] “How Dangerous is Betel Nut” https://www.healthline.com/health/betel-nut-dangers. Accessed 12 March, 2020.
[3] “Betel Nut” https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-995/betel-nut. Accessed 12 March, 2020.
Why quit buai? Because buai is killing our fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, and babies every day.
So why should you quit chewing?
Think about it. If someone was killing your fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, and babies every day, wouldn’t you do everything possible to make them stop?
– Buai causes discolouration and breakdown of your teeth and gums.
– Buai causes painful mouth and stomach ulcers.
– Buai causes oral cancer, pre-cancerous fibrosis, and gum disease.
– Buai leads to heart disease. You are 8 times more likely to develop coronary artery disease if you chew.
– Buai leads to kidney disease. There is a strong relationship between chewing buai and chronic kidney disease.
– Buai is a waste of money that is needed to buy food, rent, health services, and school fees for your children.
– The more you use buai, the less effect it has, which means you need to use more to get the same effect, resulting in more health problems.
– Withdrawal symptoms from chewing buai can be severe, and include anxiety, depression, and insomnia, as well as poor appetite, nausea, diarrhea, and fatigue.
Why quit buai? Because buai is killing our fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, and babies every day.
Jesus said that the second greatest commandment is to love your neighbour as yourself. It is clear that when we chew buai, we are not loving our own body. And when we encourage others to chew, we are not loving them. “Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ as your clothing. Don’t think about how to satisfy what your sinful nature wants” (Romans 13:14 NIrV).