Daily beer is a 'draught of good health'
By Catherine Humble
(Filed: 13/11/2005)
First it was chocolate and then it was red wine. Now new research reveals a beer a day is healthy, too.
An American scientist, Fred Stevens, has discovered cancer-fighting properties in the micronutrient Xanthohumol which is found in hops.
The compound, which helps to give beer its aroma and flavour, is believed to help to prevent breast, colon, ovarian and prostate cancer cells.
Dr Stevens, from Oregon State University, said yesterday: "Research on Xanthohumol's properties are just exploding at this point.
"It is one of the most significant compounds for cancer chemo-prevention that we have studied, and the only way people are getting any of it right now is through beer consumption."
The compound Xanthohumol works by inhibiting a family of enzymes that can activate the cancer process, inducing a reaction that detoxifies carcinogens, substances that cause cancer. It has also been found to inhibit tumour growth at an early stage.
The amount of beer required to produce the beneficial effects is as yet unknown. But with 18 million pints of beer sold in British pubs every day, the positive effects on national health could be considerable.
The Rayne Institute at St Thomas' Hospital, in London, has also looked into the health benefits of beer.
Prof Jonathon Powell lead a study running tests on 1,251 men and 1,596 women. He discovered beer is one of the highest sources of silicon, which increases the formation and strength of the bone.
portal.telegraph.co.uk |
