An overview of betel leaf: Green gold of India

Abstract

Betel leaf is a traditional nutritional and medicinal food plant known as Paan. Paan is the name given to the vivid green fresh leaves of the betel vine. Piper betle L. belonging to Piperaceae family, known as a traditional herbal medicinal plant and used for several health benefits in Asian countries. The scientific information of betel leaf nutrition values and health benefits are crucial for raising betel leaf consumption in daily life. Piper betle L. is also known as a Neglected Green Gold of India with a higher nutritional and dietary value such as fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Regarding the nutritional and therapeutic properties of betel leaf, around 15-20 million people in India take it regularly. Furthermore, several phytochemicals and nutritional components are found in the betel leaf, which is recognized as a bioactive compound (BAC). These compounds have several significant pharmacological properties, in which antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antiulcer, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antimutagenic, and antioxidant properties are crucial once. The present review provides information on betel plant including colour categories, varieties, phytochemistry, extraction techniques, health benefits and their biological activities.