A toxic alkaloid compound found in betel nuts; a chemical substance that can cause poisoning if ingested.
From guvaca (the betel nut plant, from a South Asian language) plus -ine suffix used for alkaloid compounds in chemistry.
Guvacine is why betel nut chewing, practiced by hundreds of millions of people across Asia, can cause serious health problems—the alkaloid builds up in the body over time and is linked to oral cancer.
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