8,700 Studies Reviewed. 87.0% Found Biological Effects. The Evidence is Clear.
Shield Your Body
Oxidative Stress

The antioxidant effect of Green Tea Mega EGCG against electromagnetic radiation-induced oxidative stress in the hippocampus and striatum of rats

Bioeffects Seen

Ahmed NA, Radwan NM, Aboul Ezz HS, Salama NA · 2017

View Original Abstract
Share:

Cell phone-level radiation caused brain oxidative stress in rats, but green tea antioxidants provided protection when taken preventively.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed rats to cell phone radiation for two months and found it caused brain damage in memory and movement areas. Green tea extract provided protection, but only when taken before or during exposure, not afterward. This suggests antioxidants may help prevent radiation-induced brain cell damage.

Why This Matters

This study adds to the mounting evidence that radiofrequency radiation at levels similar to cell phone use can cause measurable biological damage in the brain. The exposure level (SAR 1.245 W/kg) is actually within the range of typical cell phone use, making these findings directly relevant to everyday exposure. What's particularly significant is that the researchers demonstrated both the problem and a potential solution - showing that oxidative stress occurs with RF exposure, but that antioxidants can help mitigate the damage. The fact that preventive treatment worked better than reactive treatment suggests that once cellular damage begins, it may be harder to reverse. This research supports the growing body of evidence that our brains are vulnerable to the oxidative stress caused by wireless radiation, and that protective measures should be considered before damage occurs.

Exposure Details

SAR
1.245 W/kg
Power Density
0.02 µW/m²
Source/Device
900 MHz modulated at 217 Hz
Exposure Duration
2 Months

Exposure Context

This study used 0.02 µW/m² for radio frequency:

This study used 1.245 W/kg for SAR (device absorption):

Building Biology guidelines are practitioner-based limits from real-world assessments. BioInitiative Report recommendations are based on peer-reviewed science. Check Your Exposure to compare your own measurements.

Where This Falls on the Concern Scale

Study Exposure Level in ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 0.02 µW/m²Extreme Concern - 1,000 uW/m2FCC Limit - 10M uW/m2Effects observed in the No Concern rangeFCC limit is 500,000,000x higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 217 Hz - 900 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 217 Hz - 900 MHzPower lines50/60 HzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of EMR (frequency 900 MHz modulated at 217 Hz, power density 0.02 mW/cm2, SAR 1.245 W/kg) on different oxidative stress parameters in the hippocampus and striatum of adult rats. This study also extends to evaluate the therapeutic effect of green tea mega EGCG on the previous parameters in animals exposed to EMR after and during EMR exposure.

The experimental animals were divided into four groups: EMR-exposed animals, animals treated with gr...

EMR exposure resulted in oxidative stress in the hippocampus and striatum as evident from the distur...

This recommends the use of green tea before any stressor to attenuate the state of oxidative stress and stimulate the antioxidant mechanism of the brain.

Cite This Study
Ahmed NA, Radwan NM, Aboul Ezz HS, Salama NA (2017). The antioxidant effect of Green Tea Mega EGCG against electromagnetic radiation-induced oxidative stress in the hippocampus and striatum of rats Electromagn Biol Med. 2017;36(1):63-73, 2017.
Show BibTeX
@article{na_2017_the_antioxidant_effect_of_504,
  author = {Ahmed NA and Radwan NM and Aboul Ezz HS and Salama NA},
  title = {The antioxidant effect of Green Tea Mega EGCG against electromagnetic radiation-induced oxidative stress in the hippocampus and striatum of rats},
  year = {2017},
  doi = {10.1080/15368378.2016.1194292},
  url = {https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15368378.2016.1194292},
}
DOI: 10.1080/15368378.2016.1194292

Cited By (44 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, green tea extract (EGCG) protected rat brains from 900 MHz radiation damage when given before or during exposure. The 2017 study found green tea prevented oxidative stress in memory and movement brain areas, but only worked as prevention, not treatment after damage occurred.
Yes, two months of 900 MHz radiation exposure caused oxidative damage in rat hippocampus and striatum brain regions. These areas control memory formation and movement coordination. The study found significant disturbances in antioxidant systems and increased cellular stress markers in both brain regions.
Taking green tea antioxidants after radiation exposure provides minimal protection compared to taking them beforehand. The 2017 rat study found that starting green tea supplementation after two months of 900 MHz exposure was much less effective than preventive treatment.
Brain damage from 217 Hz modulated 900 MHz radiation occurred within two months of daily exposure in rats. The study found measurable oxidative stress and antioxidant system disruption in hippocampus and striatum regions after this exposure period, with damage continuing through three months.
The study found that both oxidant and antioxidant parameter systems became disturbed simultaneously in hippocampus and striatum during 900 MHz exposure. Green tea EGCG helped stimulate the brain's natural antioxidant mechanisms when given preventively, suggesting multiple antioxidant pathways are affected together.