Monday, November 07, 2005

Hooray for Hops!

The brother-in-law sent this story. I assume it's to atone for any implication he may have made at sending me a subscription to Modern Drunkard Magazine.

Beer's hops seen to inhibit tumor growth

CORVALLIS, Ore., Nov. 7 (UPI) -- Research at Oregon State University shows that beer contains a micronutrient that inhibits cancer-causing enzymes.
The compound, xanthohumol, was first isolated by Oregon State 10 years ago and 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.
The substance comes from the hops plant used to give beer its aroma and flavor, ABC News reported.
Most beers made today are low on hops, however, and so don't contain much xanthohumol. But beers such as porter, stout and ales have much higher levels of the compound.
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.


Yay for Hops! I think I'll go get healthy right this minute! Where's my bottle opener?

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Implication? No sireee, that's a certain Christmas gift!

Now, you may receive additional gifts, but this will be my primary display of holiday spirit(s).

I bet you can't wait for their expose' on egg nog!