Globetrotter Nolan Saumure may be left ruing his decision to try “the world’s most addictive” substance while documenting his escapades in the Philippines.
With an impressive 213,000 followers on his @nolansaumure TikTok account, the travel lover shares insights from some of most deprived corners of the world. His latest adventure led him to taste ‘moma’, also known as ‘paan’, derived from the betel nut which comes from the areca palm.
Venturing into a modest Filipino shop, he enquired: “Do you guys sell moma?” and was met with an affirmative response. Nolan then detailed: “Chewing betel in parts of Asia is more common than smoking cigarettes and some places its common to walk down the street where everyone is chewing it and staining the ground with their spit.”
He was then filmed picking out a sealed bag of moma from a store rail and approached a young female employee to make his purchase. An adult male came forward to enlighten Nolan about the recommneded way of consuming the product, advising: “Inside of here is the betel – remove the outer seed and roll it up,” he said, demonstrating the process with a leaf.
Curious about the other components in the packet, however, Nolan queried: “What does this white powder do?” Upon learning that it was lime, he explained to his audience: “The lime he’s referring to is actually grounded up limestone made to cut up your mouth giving your bloodstream easy access to the substance.”
“Pretty bad,” Nolan confessed after tasting it and returning the rest to the shopkeeper. “You’ve really got to start chewing it and working it in,” he advised his female friend, who was seen spitting it out by the roadside.
“I at least tried to keep it in for a little bit,” Nolan concluded. “I get it. I’m already hooked,” he added with a hint of worry.
According to a study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), areca nut is a highly addictive substance with carcinogenic properties that can cause significant harm to the human body. Research stated: “Areca nut users report increased sense of wellbeing and stamina, euphoria, a soothing effect in the digestion, and protection of the mouth and gums.
“In addition, areca nut chewing claimed to produce warm sensations of the body, sweating, salivation, palpitation and heightened alertness, and tolerance to hunger. All these neurological effects suggest that chemicals in areca nut affect autonomic nervous system, at various levels.”
And regarding the lime content, NIH noted: “Having slaked lime during betel chewing increases the pH of the oral cavity significantly, causing inflammation, and promotes oxidation of polyphenols in betel quid. Hence, reactive oxygen compounds which can promote carcinogenesis will be produced.”
Reacting to Nolan’s viral clip, meanwhile, one TikTok user shared a cautionary tale from their own experience: “Had it when I was in China,” they commented. “The minute I was done I wanted another immediately. It was a wild feeling. Very locked in.”
Another user chimed in with a stark warning, labelling the product as “Insanely dangerous.” Whilst a third contributor recounted their encounter, adding: “They have this at my local Asian market, all he would say when I asked what it was is that it’s really addictive.”