Beer may help protect people against Alzheimer's disease: Study

Certain compounds found in beer hops the source of bitterness aroma and flavour in beer can even help protect against Alzheimers disease AD researchers have revealedResearch published in the journal ACS Chemical Neuroscience reports that chemicals extracted from hop flowers can in lab dishes inhibit the clumping of amyloid beta proteins which is associated with AlzheimersNutraceuticals or foods that have some type of medicinal or nutritional function are the keyThe hop flowers used to flavour beers have been explored as one of these potential nutraceuticals with previous studies suggesting that the plant could interfere with the accumulation of amyloid beta proteins associated with AlzheimersTo identify these compounds Cristina Airoldi Alessandro Palmioli and team created characterised extracts of four common varieties of hops using a method similar to that used in the brewing processIn tests they found that the extracts had antioxidant properties and could prevent amyloid beta proteins from clumping in human nerve cellsThe most successful extract was from the Tettnang hop found in many types of lagers and lighter alesWhen that extract was separated into fractions the one containing a high level of polyphenols showed the most potent antibiotic and aggregationinhibiting activityIt also promoted processes that allow the body to clear out misfolded neurotoxic proteinsFinally the team tested the Tettnang extract in a C elegans model and found that it protected the worms from Alzheimersrelated paralysis though the effect was not very pronouncedThe researchers say that although this work may not justify drinking more bitter brews it shows that hop compounds could serve as the basis for nutraceuticals that combat the development of AlzheimersAD is a debilitating neurodegenerative disease often marked by memory loss and personality changes in older adultsPart of the difficulty in treating the disease is the time lag between the start of underlying biochemical processes and the onset of symptoms with several years separating themThis means that irreversible damage to the nervous system occurs before one even realises they may have the diseaseAlso read Donrsquot just pair beer with dishes pour beer into dishes using these boozy food recipesThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever