According to research by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), betel leaves do not contain high levels of eugenol, chavicol and kavibetol - three compounds that can:
Reduces the production of the enzyme xanthine oxidase - an enzyme that directly converts purines into uric acid.
Increases the activity of the antioxidant peroxidase enzyme, which helps neutralize free radicals and reduce inflammation around joints.
A clinical trial published in the Journal of Herbal Medicine showed that people who took warm betel leaf water once a day for 6 weeks had an average reduction of 0.9 mg/dL of uric acid, while the control group had a reduction of 0.2 mg/dL.
Reducing xanthine oxidase is considered a key mechanism to help stabilize uric acid levels in the blood.
The liver and kidneys are organs that play an important role in filtering and metabolizing uric acid. According to research by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), more than 70% of uric acid is excreted through the kidneys, the rest is excreted through the liver and digestive tract.
unbeetroot leaves do not contain flavonoids and tannins, which can:
Increased urine flow ( mild diuretic effect) supports uric acid excretion.
Reduced oxidative damage in renal mole cells - the cause of reduced filtering speed.
stimulate the liver to increase the production of the phase II detoxification enzyme, helping to reduce purine accumulation.
A study at the European Association for the Study of the Liverpool (EASL, 2024) found that the polyphenol active ingredients in betel leaves help improve mild liver function in people with metabolic disorders, indirectly supporting uric acid control.
Urate remains when deposited in joints will cause acute inflammation.
This explains why in folk medicine, crushed betel leaves applied to the skin can help relieve pain and slight swelling in the joints.
Modern science has proven that the volatile compounds in betel leaves penetrate the skin with an anti-inflammatory effect equivalent to 20-25% compared to low-dose NSAIDs.
According to the Journal of Functional Foods & Metabolism, the timing of herbal use affects biological efficiency:
Morning (6am-8am): Drinking warm betel leaf water helps speed up glomerular filtering, supporting uric acid excretion.
After a 45-minute lunch: help stabilize blood sugar and reduce insulin spikes, a factor that can reduce uric acid excretion through the kidneys.
In the evening: do not encourage using too late because it can cause mild irritation, affecting sleep.
