Henna dye may be linked to high rates
of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) in women, according to a new research conducted
by a university in the United Arab Emirates.
Women in the UAE are
almost two times as likely as men to have leukaemia, while they were also 63%
more likely to be affected than expatriate women, reports the National. The
researchers arrived at their conclusions after looking at 263 cases of AML and
acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. The study also demonstrated that the rate of AML
among UAE nationals was 78% higher than in expatriates.
According to
Inaam Hassan, an associate professor at UAE University, chemicals in henna dye
and a lack of sunlight could be the reason behind the increased
incidence.
"I could not understand the results as men and women live
in the same environment; they eat the same foods and breathe the same air",
Hassan said. "The only difference was the use of henna."
