Aims/hypothesis  

The aim of this study was to assess whether the diabetogenicity of areca nut (Areca catechu or betel-nut), which has previously been demonstrated experimentally in mice, independently contributes to the risk of hyperglycaemia or Type 2 diabetes in men in Taiwan, where the habit has become established relatively recently.

Methods  

We used data from a population-based cross-sectional survey and a multiple-disease-screening programme that tested for hyperglycaemia, Type 2 diabetes and risk factors related to Type 2 diabetes. Data on habitual areca nut chewing were available for 14,816 men. Multiple logistic regression models were used to determine whether areca nut chewing was an independent risk factor for Type 2 diabetes.

Results  

Compared with non-chewers, areca nut chewers had higher age-adjusted prevalence rates for hyperglycaemia (11.4% vs 8.7%) and Type 2 diabetes (10.3% vs 7.8%). Areca nut chewing independently increased the risk of hyperglycaemia (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.19, 95% CI 0.97–1.45) and Type 2 diabetes (adjusted OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.04–1.60). The independent effects of duration of chewing were dose-dependent for Type 2 diabetes (adjusted OR 1.32 for the duration of 10–19 years and 1.41 for the duration of 20 years), as were the effects of increased rates of areca nut chewing (adjusted OR 1.14 for <10 pieces/day, 1.30 for 10–19 pieces/day and 2.02 for 20 pieces/day); similar findings were noted for hyperglycaemia.

Conclusions/interpretation  

The habit of chewing areca nut independently contributes to the risk of both hyperglycaemia and Type 2 diabetes in Taiwanese men. This association is dose-dependent with respect to the duration of areca nut use and the quantity of areca nut chewed per day.