Beer for Better Brain Health?

What if the key to a sharper mind was hidden in an unexpected place—beer? While beer itself isn’t a health drink, scientists have discovered a powerful compound in hops called xanthohumol. This little-known nutrient boasts extraordinary brain-protecting benefits, potentially slowing cognitive decline and reducing Alzheimer’s risk. But before you reach for a pint, there’s a catch—getting enough of this compound requires more than just beer. Read on to uncover how xanthohumol works and the best way to harness its brain-boosting power.

Key Takeaways

• Xanthohumol’s Power: This hops-derived compound is a potent prenylflavonoid that boasts antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, making it 200 times more powerful than resveratrol, the well-known nutrient found in red wine and dark chocolate.

• Brain Health Benefits: Research suggests that xanthohumol can reduce inflammation, improve blood circulation, and even help combat beta amyloid plaques—key contributors to cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease.

• Best Sources of Xanthohumol: While beer contains trace amounts, the most effective way to harness its benefits is through concentrated liquid supplements, ensuring optimal absorption and maximum brain-boosting effects.

Scientists Uncover a Shocking Cognitive Booster in Your Pint

New research emerges all the time about the benefits of drinking wine…

The findings about fermented grape juice got some folks so excited, they started testing the benefits of beer too. And for good reason: when it comes to amount consumed, beer ranks #3 among all the beverages in the world, after water and tea.¹

So far, researchers have not found that drinking gallons of beer will help your health, but they have discovered some healthy (and previously overlooked) phytonutrients in the raw ingredients used to make beer.

Read on to discover how you can reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive decline with these powerful new compounds…

What I’m referring to is a compound in hops flowers called xanthohumol(pronounced "zan-tho-hue-mahl"). It’s found in resin inside the lupulin glandsof the hops plant. Hops are flowering vines grown in northern climates. The pinecone-looking flower heads are used in beer – which contains "a kiss of the hops" as an old commercial used to put it.

Xanthohumol is a prenylflavonoid, a sub-class of flavonoids found in the plant kingdom. Prenylflavonoids are adaptogens, chemicals that help decrease cells’ sensitivity to stress. The hops nutrient has been hailed as a "master molecule" because it does so many beneficial things for the body…

In fact, xanthohumol is said to be 200 times more powerful than resveratrol, the antioxidant found in grapes, red wine and dark chocolate…

In addition to that, elements within this micronutrient have been shown to prevent inflammation and reduce cognitive decline.

How Xanthohumol Can Help Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease has been called “type three diabetes” because it’s often a result of high blood sugar or metabolic syndrome. Alzheimer’s shares symptoms and features that overlap with both type one and type two diabetes, such as chronic inflammation and endothelium dysfunction (usually defined as when the inner lining of the blood vessels is too constrictive, limiting blood flow).²

In studies of diabetic mice, researchers find that xanthohumol can decrease inflammation and free radical damage, and improve blood circulation.³ Improved blood circulation and less inflammation help keep the brain healthy, reducing the risk of ischemic stroke and cognitive decline brought on by dying neurons starved of nutrients.

One study, published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, found that alpha acids (iso-α-acids; also known as isoxanthohumol, the chemical formed when hops is boiled in the beer-making process) can suppress inflammation and control overactive microglia.⁴

Microglia, as I’ve mentioned before, are the "janitors" of the central nervous system. They clear out old cells and cell debris. Chronic inflammation causes microglia to go into overdrive, damaging healthy neurons.

In the study, the researchers fed alpha acids to Alzheimer’s-model mice and found that it reduced beta amyloid plaques by as much as 21%. The study concluded that "the suppression of neuroinflammation and improvement in cognitive function suggests that iso-α-acids contained in beer may be useful for the prevention of dementia."

How to Get More Xanthohumol in Your Diet

Even though xanthohumol is found in the hops plant, and hops are common in beer, drinking beer isn’t a practical way to get a clinical dose of the nutrient.

While there is a small amount of xanthohumol in beer, especially in "hoppy" beers like India Pale Ales (IPAs), by the time the raw hops flowers have been mashed, boiled, fermented and strained into beer, the amount of xanthohumol left is tiny. You’d have to drink 300 beers a day to get the full benefit. Definitely not recommended.

The best way to harness the power of this micronutrient is to take 5 mg daily of concentrated liquid xanthohumol. Liquid is best, as the body has trouble absorbing powdered or tablet forms.

There are several patented or patent-pending xanthohumol supplements available on the market. Shop around for the best products, and check the label to be sure you get one free from preservatives, alcohol and additives.

Based on the evidence we have, a xanthohumol supplement looks to be another way to keep your brain healthy and help to prevent cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease. When taken in healthy doses, xanthohumol is completely nontoxic.

Summary

New research has uncovered a powerful brain-protecting compound hidden within hops, the plant used in beer production. Xanthohumol, a prenylflavonoid, has been shown to have remarkable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, potentially reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive decline. Studies suggest that this nutrient improves blood circulation, suppresses neuroinflammation, and helps prevent the buildup of harmful beta amyloid plaques in the brain. However, drinking beer alone won’t provide enough of this nutrient to be effective—experts recommend taking a concentrated liquid supplement for maximum benefits. This discovery offers a promising new avenue for brain health, making xanthohumol a fascinating topic in the world of cognitive longevity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is xanthohumol, and where is it found?

Xanthohumol is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound found in hops flowers, commonly used in beer brewing.<

Can drinking beer provide enough xanthohumol to be beneficial?

No, the amount of xanthohumol in beer is too low to be effective—you would need to drink hundreds of beers daily to get a clinical dose.

How does xanthohumol support brain health?

Research shows that it reduces inflammation, improves blood circulation, and helps prevent harmful beta amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

What is the best way to consume xanthohumol for health benefits?

The most effective way is through a concentrated liquid supplement, as it ensures better absorption than powdered or tablet forms.

Is xanthohumol safe to take as a supplement?

Yes, when taken in recommended doses, xanthohumol is considered nontoxic and safe for consumption.