Haikou, the capital of Hainan province, is known for its vibrant culture around betel nuts, with a significant portion of its population involved in the industry. Betel nuts, which come from the areca palm, are popular for their stimulating effects but are linked to serious health risks, including oral cancer. Hainan produces 95% of China's supply, directly impacting its economy and contributing to over 8% of the province's GDP. Despite this, health regulations have emerged, restricting sales due to public health concerns.
Excessive consumption is linked to oral cancer and tooth decay, but they also produce a natural high, thanks to the presence of arecoline, a natural (and carcinogenic) stimulant in the nuts.
More than 2.3 million people are involved in the betel nut industry, according to state media, accounting for more than one-fifth of the island's population.
Between 2010 and 2021, the size of the land used for betel nut farming in Hainan more than doubled, demonstrating the growing significance of this crop to the provincial economy.
A Chinese folk song written in the 1930s, still sung on state television today, tells the story of a young couple who fall in love on a mountain while picking betel nuts from the tree.
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