14 DAY TRIAL // Having carried out a series of experiments in laboratory conditions, a team of researchers found that beer has the potential to help treat neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
The scientists behind this rather peculiar investigation, led by specialist with the Lanzhou University's School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering in the US, detail their work in a report in the American Chemical Society's Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.
Just one beer compound comes with a whole lot of perks
In their paper, scientist Jianguo Fang and fellow researchers explain that, as suggested by their name, neurodegenerative diseases boil down to a gradual decline of an individual's nervous system, be it central structures like the brain or peripheral ones such as nerves in the limbs.
The specialists go on to explain that, during their investigation, they focused on the effect a compound naturally occurring in beer can have on neuronal cells. This compound is known to the scientific community as xanthohumol.
Researcher Jianguo Fang and colleagues say that, according to previous studies, xanthohumol is a rather potent antioxidant. What's more, evidence indicates that this beer compound has anticancer properties and can even offer cardiovascular protection.
In a series of laboratory tests, the scientists found that xanthohumol can also benefit the neuronal cells that comprise the human nervous system. Specifically, they found that it can protect them against oxidative damage, just like it does in other cells in the human body.
Using beer to fight neurodegenerative disorders
Seeing how oxidative damage to neuronal cells correlates with the progress of neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, Lanzhou University specialist Jianghuo Fang and his team argue that it might be possible to use xanthohumol to treat such diseases.
Thus, the researchers argue that this compound that is naturally occurring in beer could help slow the progress of neurodegenerative disorders while protecting neuronal cells against oxidative damage. Mind you, the idea is to develop drugs based on this compound, not make people drink loads of beer.
