These Foods Protect Against Radiation Damage

Previous studies suggest that antioxidants neutralize harmful free radicals (toxic molecules that damage cells) and protect against inflammation and oxidative damage. Green tea is rich in antioxidants like EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallate) that help prevent inflammation, cancer, heart disease and other chronic diseases. The hull of grains and seeds like bran and legumes contain potent inositol and inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) antioxidants. Now research reports that green tea, legume and bran antioxidants help protect the cell's DNA from radiation damage.

First Study

A study published in the Journal of Food Biochemistry, investigated the effect of green tea extract on free radicals. Researchers from the University Annamalal, India, treated free radicals with a green tea polyphenol extract. They found that the extract prevented radiation induced DNA damage. Furthermore, green tea scavenged potent free radicals.

"Our study envisage the potential properties of sunphenon, a green tea polyphenol by its anti-oxidant activity of scavenging free radicals such as hydroxyl, superoxide, nitric oxide, singlet oxygen, 2,2'²-azino-bis (3-thylbenz-thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid'¢âˆ' and 2,2'²-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and also possesses protective action against peroxide-induced mitochondrial damage, radiation induced DNA damage and having high redox potential," the study authors write. "Based on its potential ability it might be useful in filed of drug discovery for making novel drugs or nanoparticles for treating various diseases."

Second Study

Another study presented at the AACR Centennial Conference on Translational Cancer Medicine: From Technology to Treatment in Singapore, investigated the effect of IP6 on cell DNA. Researchers from the University of Maryland School of Medicine treated human skin cells (keratinocytes) with IP6 before irradiating them with UVB. The scientists also administered drinking water containing IP6 to to mice genetically engineered to have an increased risk of skin cancer. They found that inositol protected human skin cells and the skin-cancer prone mice from UVB radiation damage.

"Both of these potent antioxidants have been shown to have broad-spectrum anti-tumor capabilities, and now our studies confirm the degree to which these molecules protect against the DNA-damaging effects of ionizing radiation," says Abulkalam M. Shamsuddin, M.D., professor of pathology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, in a press release. "Radiation damage is radiation damage, regardless of the source, so there could also be a protective role for IP6 in any form of radiation exposure, whether it is from a therapeutic dose or from solar, cosmic or nuclear sources."

Sources
Kaviarasan S et al. Potent Radical Scavenging Ability of Sunphenon: A Green Tea Extract. Journal of Food Biochemistry, no. doi:10.1111/j.1745-4514.2010.00404.x

Antioxidants Could Provide All-Purpose Radiation Protection. AACR Press Release, November 4, 2007.