Author Topic: Beer may help fight disease  (Read 1174 times)

RadioFreeSeaLab

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Beer may help fight disease
« on: November 11, 2005, 01:59:56 PM »
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=1282177
Quote
Drinker's Delight: Beer May Fight Disease
A Unique Compound in Ale Intrigues Oregon Researchers
By JOY VICTORY

Nov. 7, 2005  - "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 an 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.

Copyright © 2005 ABC News Internet Ventures

Larry Ashcraft

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Beer may help fight disease
« Reply #1 on: November 11, 2005, 02:34:22 PM »
That's why I drink beer.

Because it is good for me.

Really.

Justin

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Beer may help fight disease
« Reply #2 on: November 11, 2005, 02:42:05 PM »
"Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."  -Benjamin Franklin
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grampster

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Beer may help fight disease
« Reply #3 on: November 11, 2005, 04:02:11 PM »
I must be immune from just about everything just about now.  Just got back from the Red Anchor near Croton Dam and had my infusion of Olde Dam Beer...a rather generous infusion at that.
"Never wrestle with a pig.  You get dirty, and besides, the pig likes it."  G.B. Shaw

garyk/nm

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Beer may help fight disease
« Reply #4 on: November 11, 2005, 05:13:52 PM »
Ha! I'm invincible!