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.
I thought so! LOL
Darn, I feel lucky to know you then! LOL
Ask Him what His favorite IPA is will ya. It would be a terrific advertising boon for that brewer, I'm thinking.
-- Maybe we should just eat the hops without the beer ?
---- That's crazy talk !
------ Yep !
-- Maybe we should just eat the hops without the beer ?
---- Sure, you can eat 'em and smoke 'em too. Hops have many uses besides beer.
------ Hmm .. smokin' might be better than eatin' though I think either would be bitter enough to curl yer hair.
I'll need to have my doctor right me a note stating I must drink beer at work for good health.
-- Maybe we should just eat the hops without the beer ?
---- Just don't smoke it.
---- Hops is in the same family (Cannabinaceae) as marijuana.
------ I didn't know that. Thanks. However, I wasn't planning to smoke it. Or eat it. It's bitter enough in beer.
Just to make sure, I'll drink more than the daily requirement.
Washington State produces more Hops than any other region in the western hemisphere.
Thanks for the ping.
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