Betel nuts contain a mild stimulant, similar to drinking a cup of coffee or smoking a cigarette. Almost everyone we saw in BilBil (of all ages) seemed to be chewing on these nuts.
Young Girl of the BilBil Village with Betel Nut Stained Teeth near Madang A Day Ashore in Madang from the Regent Seven Seas Voyager
From Linda Garrison, About.com
Many citizens of Papua New Guinea chew the betel nut, which stains their mouth, tongue, and teeth a brilliant red. It is actually a seed of the betel palm.
Young girl of the BilBil village with Betel nut stained teeth near Madang, Papua New Guinea
Madang Papua New Guinea Photo (c) Linda GarrisonMore on Papua New Guinea and Northern Australia
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