Beer Ingredient fights cancer? Sounds like an alcoholics dream to me. What do you think about this?

Question

A main ingredient in beer may help prevent prostate cancer and enlargement, according to a new study. But researchers say don't rush out to stock the refrigerator because the ingredient is present in such small amounts that a person would have to drink more than 17 beers to benefit.

Oregon State University researchers say the compound xanthohumol, found in hops, inhibits a specific protein in the cells along the surface of the prostate gland.

The protein acts like a signal switch that turns on a variety of animal and human cancers, including prostate cancer.

Cancer typically results from uncontrolled cell reproduction and growth. Xanthohumol belongs to a group of plant compounds called flavonoids, which can trigger the programmed cell death that controls growth, researchers say.

Xanthohumol was first discovered in hops in 1913, but its health effects were not known until about 10 years ago, when it was first studied by Fred Stevens, assistant professor of medicinal chemistr

Answer 1

When you read articles like this you have to remember that researchers like to get published and what better way to get published than to claim some obscure compound in chocolate or beer or broccoli will help prevent cancer. Take these articles with a big grain of salt along with claims that vitamins or supplements will cure cancer. Cancer is a complex illness and if drinking beer or eating chocolate was a big factor in preventing it, then you could be assured there would be much lower levels of cancer among the general population.

Answer 2

Well it would be great if xanthohumol turned out to be the answer to a prayer for the treatment of certain cancers. I also saw a study which said 6% of cancers are caused by alcohol and that 85% of lab mice given non-alcoholic beer fared better cancer-wise than those who received the real thing. I think we still need a lot more research on xanthohumol and how to synthesize it in larger amounts for human use in cancer tretament but this sounds promising, doesn't it. Sa-a-a-y...you're kinda cute.

Answer 3

17 beers to get the benifit.Thats not a problem!

Answer 4

Just like ingredients in red wine can fight/prevent cancer too. Lets hear it for the drunks and the winos.

Answer 5

sounds great and natural at that, how cool.

Answer 6

is that true....... burp!!! so does that mean i won't get cancer.....
that is so ..... cool.....
coz you are saying no aids for me burp!!.. so merry christmas and have fun....!!!!!!!