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Some argue betel nuts are an essential part of eastern Taiwan’s cultural fabric
and say many people depend on growing the nuts for their livelihoods. Nonetheless, betel
nuts have been classified as Group 1 carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the World
Health Organization’s specialised cancer agency. Tis is the same category as asbestos and tobacco smoking. In fact, betel nut use goes hand in hand with cigarette smoking, as nearly 90 per cent of betel nut users also smoke, according to Dr Hahn Liang-Jiunn, professor emeritus and former dean of the school of dentistry, college of medicine at National Taiwan University. Besides oral cancer, betel nut chewing can also lead to
oropharyngeal cancer, hypopharyngeal cancer, esophageal cancer, liver cancer, cirrhosis, diabetes, dental attrition and periodontal disease, adds Dr Hahn. Yet despite the host of health issues that the nuts cause,
THIS PAGE: Areca palm field; and Taroko Gorge National Park
OPPOSITE PAGE FROM TOP: Changchun Shrine in Taroko National Park near Hualien; betel nut seller Ms Zhu; and habitual betel nut user Mr Liu
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betel nut usage remains stubbornly popular in this part of Taiwan, partly due to cultural reasons. “In some countries in South Asia and Southeast Asia, there is a kind of ‘betel nut culture’. From the cultural perspective, betel nuts are used as sacrificial offerings in rituals, or are presented as something valuable at weddings. What’s more, when there are disputes or conflicts, they are also used as reconciliation giſts,” says Dr Hahn. “The reason why betel nut is especially popular in
the eastern parts of Taiwan is that there are more indigenous Taiwanese people living there, and this kind
of so-called ‘betel nut culture’ is more deeply rooted in their daily life.” Indigenous Taiwanese make up only around 2.3
per cent of the overall population, but they are mostly concentrated in the eastern portion of the island, according to the Council of Indigenous Peoples, a ministry-level body in Taiwan. Given its potential for harm, one might expect that
such a dangerous substance would be strictly controlled, especially considering that Taiwan has strict drug laws, including the death penalty for drug trafficking. But buying betel nuts is surprisingly easy, including
for a foreigner. During the one-hour drive from Hualien train station to a hotel in the Taroko National Park, I saw many roadside shops selling betel nuts, and it wasn’t long before I was the proud owner of a plastic baggie of around 20 nuts. Even our driver was an ex-betel nut user, having started chewing when he was young and continued for 30 years, before quitting for health reasons. One shop that we pulled up to on the Zhongbu Cross
Island Highway was run by Zhu Yu Ying, who had worked there for the past 21 years, selling as many as 100 bags of betel nut per day, mostly to local drivers who use its stimulating effect to maintain their concentration while navigating the treacherous mountain passes of the Taroko National Park. “In Taiwan, many long-distance drivers chew betel nut
to help them stay awake and quench their thirst while driving,” says Dr Hahn, explaining that chewing the nuts can stimulate salivation and therefore make users feel less thirsty.
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