Benzene is an important industrial solvent that is used to make lubricants, dyes, detergents among other things…  However, benzene exposure can have serious adverse health effects including bone marrow suppression, cancer, anemia, and high-level exposure can result even in death.

This recent study demonstrates that green tea can reduce oxidative stress induced by benzene exposure.  Oxidative stress is thought to play a role in certain diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Atherosclerosis as well as aging.

Does green tea protect you from benzene exposure?

To answer this question, let’s take a look at a recent study published in the Journal of Immunotoxicology.  Specifically, this study looked at the antioxidant-related protective effects of green tea from drinking 6 cups (150 ml/cup) per day.

The study noted that workers exposed to benzene often suffer from numerous toxicities that affect multiple organs and systems including the bone marrow, central nervous, immune, and reproductive systems.

The authors speculate that the toxicity of benzene is mediated by the oxidative metabolism of benzene to reactive oxygen species.

Study results

The authors concluded that drinking green tea during benzene exposure indeed reduced several indices of oxidative stress.  They further suggested that green tea could potentially be used to protect against certain aspects of benzene exposure.

“These studies demonstrate that drinking green tea during benzene exposure can reduce several parameters indicative of oxidative stress. As such, as a dietary supplement, green tea could represent a potential therapeutic agent in reducing certain aspects of benzene-induced toxicity.”

For more about the health benefits of green tea, follow the link.

Reference:

Emara AM, El-Bahrawy H.  Green tea attenuates benzene-induced oxidative stress in pump workers.  J Immunotoxicol. 2008 Jan;5(1):69-80.