A new study in the Feb 11, 2012 issue of Neurotoxicology suggests that drinking green tea along with meal if the meal contains high levels of lead may help protect against lead induced brain damage or lead poisoning. Lead is known to cause neurotoxicity among other things.
The animal study led by A.A. Khalaf and colleagues at the Cairo University in Giza, Egypt shows that co-administration of green tea with a chemical called lead acetate did not cause as much adverse effects as administration of lead acetate only. For the study, five groups of rats received either placebo, lead acetate, lead acetate and green tea, green tea only for one month, or lead acetate for one month and then green tea for 15 days. Lead acetate was given orally at a dose of 100mg/kg body weight while green tea was given in drinking water at a concentration of 5 grams /L.
The researchers found "Lead acetate administration induced loss of body weight and decreased concentration of reduced glutathione and SOD activity in brain tissues as well as significantly high DNA fragmentation and pathological changes. Co-administration of green tea with lead acetate significantly alleviated these adverse effects."
Lead as a heavy metal element is controlled in processed food in the United States. All heavy metals together should not exceed 10 parts per million or ppm in a food ingredient.
Lead poisoning or Saturnism is caused by exposure to high levels of the heavy metal lead. Lead poisoning can be particularly a problem in children. It can cause potentially permanent learning and behavior disorders. Lead poisoning is toxic to more than the brain. It can damage other organs and tissues including the heart, bones, intestines, kidneys and reproductive system as well. Food, drinking water and air can all become a source for lead poisoning. One way to reduce intake of lead from drinking water is to use tap water filters.
Resources: Bor S. Luh Food Safety Research Center