Beer flavonoid may boost brain power

A compound found in hops— one of the basic ingredients of beer— is capable of improving memory and thought patterns in mice, reported Quartz.

In a new study from Oregon State University, researchers sought to found out if xanthohumol, a flavonoid found only in hops, could slow down palmitoylation— a natural process associated with memory degradation in animals and humans.  A group of young and old mice were put on an eight-week diet of xanthohumol, a flavonoid found only in hops.

After going through a series of tests, the younger mice showed improvement in spatial memory and cognitive flexibility. The older mice did not show any changes.

While hops are the only dietary source of the rare compound, it would require drinking 2,000 liters of beer— or 5,636 bottles of beer— for a person to get the same effect.

The findings suggest that xanothohumol could potentially be used to treat cognitive problems.

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