Probably some of the best news out, since finding out wine is good for you. One of the main ingredients in beer can help prevent different sicknesses and disorders.

Beer in glasses - Oktoberfest 2014
Photo By: Johannes Simon/Getty Images News
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The hops in beer contain a compound called Xanthohumol, which is an antioxidant. It's the same antioxidant that is found in certain berries, chocolates, and wine. Many studies have been done on this antioxidant because of it's possible heart-healthy effects - which has lead scientists to believe it could help in the fight against cancer.

Hops Being Added in to Boiling Water - in the Beer Making Process
Photo By: Joe Raedle/Getty Images News
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There have also been studies done tying this antioxidant in with Alzheimer’s, and seeing if you could possibly fight and reverse the effects of the disease. According to Elite Daily,

Diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s are said to begin when oxidized molecules damage brain cells, so researchers decided to test Xanthohumol’s ability to shield these cells from such effects.

A team led by Jianguo Fang of Lanzhou University’s school of chemistry put neurons from a rat brain into a dish with Xanthohumol and then exposed them to the aforementioned molecules.

The study showed that Xanthohumol did have the ability to protect the cells. This leaves scientists to believe that this antioxidant could possible prevent or help fight diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

There is still more research to be done on Xanthohumol and it's effects on the body, but we are liking where this is going. So have a drink - to heart and brain health!

 

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