Beer could help 'protect brain against Parkinson's and Alzheimer's'
Researchers in China have found that a compound in hops could help fight off degenerative brain diseases

As self-delusional arguments go, it sounds like it is up there with claims that a bowl of ice-cream supplies a quarter of your daily calcium needs.

However, scientists in China have found that drinking beer could help protect the brain from a number of degenerative brain diseases.

A team of researchers at Lanzhou University have published a study which claims that xanthohumol, a type of flavonoid found in hops, could help protect the brain against the onset of diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and dementia.

According to Jianguo Fang, who led the research, xanthohumol [Xn], known for its antioxidant properties, helps guard the brain against oxidative stress, an imbalance that occurs as the body metabolises oxygyen, which is believed to be a contributing factor in the development of neurodegenerative conditions.

"In traditional Chinese medicine, hops have been used to treat a variety of ailments for centuries," said Dr Fang. "The presence of a high concentration of Xn in beers might be linked to the epidemiological observation of the beneficial effect of regular beer drinking.

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In September 2014 scientists at Oregon State University found that very high levels of xanthohumol improved the cognitive function of young mice. However, they pointed out that a human would need to drink "2,000 litres of beer a day to reach the xanthohumol levels we used in this research"

More:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/active/me...Alzheimers.html

Press Release:
ACS News Service Weekly PressPac: January 28, 2015
Beer compound could help fend off Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases

"Xanthohumol, a Polyphenol Chalcone Present in Hops, Activating Nrf2 Enzymes to Confer Protection against Oxidative Damage in PC12 Cells"
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry

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http://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/pressr...s-diseases.html

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...scientists in China have found that drinking beer could help protect the brain from a number of degenerative brain diseases.

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Quote: Sanguine wrote in post #5

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Hmmm. Shiner Beer is celebrating it's 106 birthday, and they have produced a chocolate stout that is darned good. Even though I'm mostly a wine drinker, I like it. May have to drink more of it.

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@algernonpj,

pardon the obligatory beer songs.

It comes over me with every beer thread.