There are many who enjoy a cold beer after a long day’s work and the kids are asleep. Some might even enjoy two, on a bad day. But did you know that there is a micronutrient contained in hops (the main ingredient in beer) that has the potential to help those with metabolic syndrome, high cholesterol, and a plethora of other problems?

According to a study done by Oregon State University, this is entirely the case. The study findings titled “Xanthohumol in lab tests lowers cholesterol, blood sugar, and weight gain” published by the Oregon State University website states, “In this research, laboratory mice were fed a high-fat diet, and given varying levels of xanthohumol. Compared to animals given none of this supplement, the highest dosage of xanthohumol given to laboratory rats cut their LDL, or “bad” cholesterol 80 percent; their insulin level 42 percent; and their level of IL-6, a biomarker of inflammation, 78 percent.”

These are substantially large numbers.

Believe it or not, metabolic syndrome is not the only ailment that Xanthohumol (hops) can help. An article titled “Xanthohumol – What Is It?” published by Live Lean Today says that it can be used to help “promote the health of individual cells, support the ability for the body to burn fat, supports the body’s ability to fight disease and stay healthy, promotes health of eye’s cornea and retina, removes harmful metabolic and toxic wastes from the body, and supports the body’s natural hormone production which creates a state of well being”.

Isn’t that absolutely amazing?!

Now, don’t think that you can just go out and drink three beers, and suddenly you’ll be healthy. Chances are you’ve already learned that lesson the hard way, and there is such a tiny amount of xanthohumol contained in beer that you would have to drink an impossibly huge amount of it to see any health benefits. 3,500 pints per day for a human adult, to be exact, according to an article titled “Compound from hops lowers cholesterol, blood sugar and weight gain” published by Science Daily. Luckily, there are daily supplements that you can take which contain it.

Sources:

Compound from hops lowers cholesterol, blood sugar and weight gain — ScienceDaily. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/04/160419081800.htm

Courtney, Living. – Living naturally, creating awareness, and making things simple. (n.d.). Retrieved from //www.courtneyliving.com/

Xanthohumol in lab tests lowers cholesterol, blood sugar and weight gain | News and Research Communications | Oregon State University. (n.d.). Retrieved from //oregonstate.edu/ua/ncs/archives/2016/apr/xanthohumol-lab-tests-lowers-cholesterol-blood-sugar-and-weight-gain

Xanthohumol – What is it? (n.d.). Retrieved from //www.liveleantoday.com/2007/01/xanthohumol-what-is-it/