Photo by Trexer CC By 3.0
Introduction
Most people think about beer as something that is unhealthy and contributes to diseases such as cihrrosis. Why this maybe true for people who drink too much. Beer has other benefits when it is used responsibly. Beer can help prevent cancer, dementia, and extend life. We will explore these ideas in this blog.
Beer Lengthens Telomeres
The Voice of Russia website featured an article in 2013 that explained how beer lengthens telomeres. Telomeres are composed of DNA and proteins, and they are at the ends of the strands of DNA in our chromosomes. As Telomeres shorten, disease and illness follows. The study found that a 5-to-7 percent ethanol solution would lengthen the telomeres.
Xanthohumol
Beer has an herb called hops that contains a health promoting flavonoid called Xanthohumol. Anthony Rivas wrote a great article explaining beers health promoting properties. Xanthohumol is an anti-oxidant that gives the beer its flavor and its tanginess. The darker the beer the better.
Researchers at Oregon State University have discovered that Xanthohumol inhibits a family of enzymes called cytochromes P450 that activate the cancer process. Xanthohumol creates the "quinone reductase" process thait aids in the detoxification of carcinogens. It will inhibit tumor growth in the early stages.
Beer was studied by researchers from the University of Lanzhou, China in 2015. They found that the xanthohumol in beer had anti-cancer, heart protective, and anti-inflammation properties.
Larger Memory in Moderate Beer Drinks
Earlier studies from last year at Lanzhou, China showed that moderate drinkers had larger hippocampuses. Anthony went on to explain how the larger hippocampuses translated to a better episodic memory. The improved memory stimulation may play a role in the prevention of Alzheimer's disease.
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