Hops are a plant that helps induce sleep, reduce anxiety and stress, take care of heart health, regulate blood sugar and can also help treat obesity.
However, more scientific studies are still needed on the benefits of using this plant, as those that exist are limited and many have been carried out on animals.
Hops, whose scientific name is Humulus lupulus L., it is widely used in the preparation of beer, as it gives the bitter flavor and aroma to this drink. However, it can also be ingested in the form of tea or capsules with medical or herbalist advice.
What is it for
Hops have health benefits and can be used to:
1. Improve sleep
Hops have properties that can help improve sleep.
This is because it is believed that bioactive compounds, such as methyl vinyl carbinol, for example, can activate melatonin receptors, a hormone that helps regulate the circadian rhythm.
Hops can help reduce anxiety, stress and depression, as they contain bitter alpha acids, called humulones, which have important sedative and depressant effects.
In addition to humulones, hops also contain other active substances that appear to have antidepressant effects with a lesser sedative effect.
Furthermore, the combination of valerian and hops has been shown to interact with serotonin and melatonin receptors, which participate in several central nervous system functions related to relaxation, circadian cycle and sleep.
3. Prevent cancer
Due to polyphenols and other bioactive compounds, such as xanthohumol, hops can help prevent and fight some types of cancer, such as cancer of the colon, pancreas, thyroid, cervix, ovary, head and neck, skin, malignant melanoma or leukemia, for example.
This is because xanthohumol appears to induce the death of cancer cells and prevent their proliferation and migration to other parts of the body.
4. Help treat obesity
Hops can help in the treatment of obesity, as xanthohumol can promote a catabolic state, that is, it can promote the degradation of nutrients to produce energy, preventing the accumulation of fat in adipose tissue and the liver, helping to accelerate metabolism and promote weight loss.
5. Prevent cardiovascular diseases
Due to the polyphenols and other bioactive compounds present in its composition, hops have antioxidant action, which can help lower “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides.
The decrease in triglycerides may occur due to reduced production of fatty acids in the liver and increased elimination of triglycerides through feces, probably due to decreased lipid absorption.
Thus, reducing cholesterol and triglycerides can help prevent cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis, heart attacks and strokes, for example.
6. Lower blood sugar
Hops are rich in xanthohumol, tetrahydro xanthohumol and isohumulones which can help regulate blood sugar.
This is because it is believed that these substances help reduce oxidative stress related to hyperglycemia, in addition to reducing the absorption of carbohydrates by the intestines and modifying genes involved in the blood sugar production process, for example.
7. Relieve menopause symptoms
Hops contain prenylflavanones that act like the hormone estrogen in the body, with the most active compound being 8-prenylnaringenin (8-PN).
Some scientific studies have demonstrated the potential of hops and the compound 8-PN to alleviate symptoms associated with menopause, such as osteoporosis, hot flashes, night sweats and sexual motivation.
However, the results of these studies were not conclusive, requiring further studies to confirm this benefit.
How to use
Hops can be used to prepare tea or in capsules, as follows:
1. Hop tea
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon of hops;
- 1 cup of boiling water.
Preparation mode
Place the hops in a cup of boiling water and leave to infuse for approximately 10 minutes. Strain, wait for it to cool and drink before going to sleep.
2. Hops Supplement
Supplements containing hop extracts have been used safely in doses of up to 300 mg per day for up to 3 months.
Hop bitter acids have been safely used in doses of 35 mg per day for 3 months.
However, it is best to consult your doctor or herbalist before taking it, as well as reading the manufacturer’s label, as the dose may vary depending on the concentration of the product.
Possible side effects
Side effects that may occur in some people when consuming hops are drowsiness, dizziness, slow breathing or respiratory problems.
Who shouldn’t use
Hops should not be used by children, pregnant women or while breastfeeding, as their safety is not known.
Furthermore, it should not be used by people who suffer from endometriosis or hormone-dependent cancers, such as breast cancer, for example, and should always consult a doctor before ingesting it.
Additionally, people taking medication for diabetes or sedatives should also consult their doctor before consuming hops.
