Despite its reputation for potential harm, chewing paan can surprisingly offer various lesser-known health benefits. When excluding questionable ingredients, this practice may actually contribute to overall health.
Chewing paan is deeply rooted in Indian culture and tradition. The betel leaf, sourced from the betel vine, is a delicate green leaf with a slight bitterness. Often chewed with areca nut, it induces a mild narcotic effect when consumed.
While chewing paan is often perceived as harmful, it does offer certain lesser-known health benefits. Here are some of them:
Improving Digestive Health
Consuming betel leaf, commonly known as paan, can significantly benefit your digestive system. It prompts the salivary glands to release saliva, aiding in the breakdown of food for smoother digestion. Betel leaves are particularly effective in alleviating constipation and have been recognized for their gastro-protective properties, which can help in treating gastric ulcers.
Enhancing Oral Health
Betel leaf contains various compounds with antibacterial properties that combat the bacteria responsible for bad breath. When combined with spices like cloves, fennel, and cardamom, paan serves as an excellent mouth freshener. Chewing betel leaf can also reduce the risk of oral cancer by maintaining optimal levels of ascorbic acid in saliva.
Treating Warts and Boils
In Ayurvedic medicine, betel leaves have been traditionally used to treat warts by causing them to rupture and drain. Chewing paan is believed to have similar effects on warts and boils both inside the mouth and elsewhere on the body.
Addressing Common Ailments and Injuries
Combining betel leaf extract with honey can help alleviate coughs and expel phlegm from the chest. Additionally, betel leaf possesses analgesic properties that can relieve headaches. Chewing paan may also expedite the healing process of wounds.
Aphrodisiac Qualities
Betel leaf is known for its ability to stimulate sexual desire, offering potential benefits for enhancing intimacy.
Overall, if concerns about certain ingredients are set aside, chewing paan can indeed contribute to overall health and well-being.