A farmer tends to a hops crop. "Hoppy" beers — usually porters, stouts and ales — have higher levels of a potential disease-fighting compound.
Posted on 11/07/2005 9:58:27 AM PST by freepatriot32
Nov. 7) — "Mmmm … beer."
This oft-repeated sentiment of Homer Simpson is a mantra for the millions of beer drinkers in the United States. As popular as beer is, however, it often has gotten a bad rap as a calorie-loaded beverage that only serves to create paunchy beer bellies and alcohol-fueled lapses in judgment.
But that negative image may begin to fade: Research is showing that beer could join the ranks of other guilt-inducing but wildly popular foods -- chocolate, coffee and red wine -- as a possible disease-fighter.
It turns out that beer hops contain a unique micronutrient that inhibits cancer-causing enzymes. Hops are plants used in beer to give it aroma, flavor and bitterness.
The compound, xanthohumol, was first isolated by researchers with Oregon State University 10 years ago. Initial testing was promising, and now an increasing number of laboratories across the world have begun studying the compound, said Fred Stevens, an assistant professor of medicinal chemistry at Oregon State's College of Pharmacy
Earlier this year, a German research journal even devoted entire issue to xanthohumol, he said.
What Stevens and others are discovering is that xanthohumol has several unique effects. Along with inhibiting tumor growth and other enzymes that activate cancer cells, it also helps the body make unhealthy compounds more water-soluble, so they can be excreted.
Most beers made today are low on hops, however, and so don't contain much xanthohumol. But beers known for being "hoppy" — usually porter, stout and ale types — have much higher levels of the compound. Oregon's microbrews ranked particularly high, Stevens said, which is not surprising: U.S. hops are grown almost entirely in the Northwest.
Still, no one knows how much beer is needed to reap the benefits. Mice studies show that the compound is metabolized quickly by the body, so it's hard to get a large amount in the body at one time, Stevens said.
"It clearly has some interesting chemo-preventive properties, and the only way people are getting any of it right now is through beer consumption," he said.
A farmer tends to a hops crop. "Hoppy" beers — usually porters, stouts and ales — have higher levels of a potential disease-fighting compound.
Beer...It does a body good.
If this is true I may live forever.
ping
Last week it was cabbage, now it's beers, Next week: BRATWURSTS!!!!!!!Life is good...........
Brewer ping!
Great news.....excuse me, gotta go and stock up on some health now.
ping
Well if you cook the BRATS right its already soaked in beer to begin with so your fighting your cancer risk at every cookout :-)
."I fight disease with a case of brewskys a day"
"Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." -Ben Franklin
I, personally, am not a beer drinker, can't get past the smell. Hubby likes the stouts and dark ales, and our Weimaraner will only drink German beer!
...Still, no one knows how much beer is needed to reap the benefits....
Better buy an extra case or two, can't take chances with your health.
"Initial testing was promising..."
I will volunteer! Even if I can only save a single sole, I will do my part. Actually I have been doing my part for years... I just never gave 'Informed Consent' for the research.
Classic Stouts are never highly hopped.
one for your ping lists perhaps
This stuff goes great with brats and 'kraut!
i think thats at least a two case a day beer belly at the very least lol
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