The effect of betel habits on blood glucose levels in the Karo ethnic community, Karo district

Background: Betel is a hereditary tradition from the ancestors of Batak-Karo tribe, Indonesia. Karo people believe that betel their unifier. The process begins with concocting mixture ingredients such as leaf, lime, gambier, areca nut, and with/without tobacco addition, then chewed slowly. Our previous study showed gambier extracts (Uncaria Roxb), can reduce blood glucose levels (BGL) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. This aimed to analyze whether habit chewing affect BGL ethnic community district. Methods: In total, 48 participants were divided into 4 groups (n=12 per group), namely: I. non-T2DM without habits; II. habit; III. T2DM IV. habit. sampling technique was consecutive sampling. Data collected by interviews (fasted hours postprandial (2hPP)). data analyzed ANOVA post hoc Bonferroni significance level p-value <0.05. Results: fasting had no difference (group-I) compared (group-II) (84.33±12.32 vs 81.00± 4,84), (group-III) (group-IV) (196.25± 104.81 150.00 ± 42.45), p>0.05. On other hand, there significant 2hPP group all (p<0.05). highest groups. Conclusions: concluded containing effective restraining rate increase levels. Further research needed see mechanism.