Beer Cures Tumors

[CBL4]

It turns out that beer hops contain a unique micronutrient that inhibits cancer-causing enzymes. Hops are plants used in beer to give it aroma, flavor and bitterness.

The compound, xanthohumol, was first isolated by researchers with Oregon State University 10 years ago. Initial testing was promising, and now an increasing number of laboratories across the world have begun studying the compound, said Fred Stevens, an assistant professor of medicinal chemistry at Oregon State's College of Pharmacy.

Earlier this year, a German research journal even devoted an entire issue to xanthohumol, he said.

What Stevens and others are discovering is that xanthohumol has several unique effects. Along with inhibiting tumor growth and other enzymes that activate cancer cells, it also helps the body make unhealthy compounds more water-soluble, so they can be excreted.

Most beers made today are low on hops, however, and so don't contain much xanthohumol. But beers known for being "hoppy" — usually porter, stout and ale types — have much higher levels of the compound. Oregon's microbrews ranked particularly high, Stevens said, which is not surprising: U.S. hops are grown almost entirely in the Northwest.

Here is my favorite part:

Still, no one knows how much beer is needed to reap the benefits. Mice studies show that the compound is metabolized quickly by the body, so it's hard to get a large amount in the body at one time, Stevens said.

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=1282177

To be fair, Oregon State is not exactly unbiased when it comes to beer. They had the first brewery program at an American university (yes you can get a BA in beer there) and it is an agricultural university and hops are a major Oregon crop.

The Beer BA is officially called a degree in Food Science and Technology with a Fermentation Science emphasis. Courses include:

FST 251. Introduction to Wines, Beers, and Spirits (3)
FST 423. Food Analysis (4)
FST 460. Brewing Science and Analysis (5)
FST 466. Wine Production Principles (3)
FST 467. Wine Production and Analysis (2)
FST 468. Sensory Evaluation of Wines (2)
FST 479. Food Biotechnology (3)
FST 480. Topics in Fermentation (1-2) to be taken for a total of 2 credits
FST 490. Pilot Plant Experiences in Food Processing (3)
FST 495. Food Packaging (2)
MB 440. Food Microbiology (3)
MB 441. Food Microbiology Lab (2)

http://catalog.oregonstate.edu/OptionDetail.aspx?id=44&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1
CBL

 

[bob_kark]

What, no doctorate program?

 

[Iamme]

If they have so many programs on beer, I wonder if they have a like amount for hemp?

 

[CBL4]

They do have a doctorate program:

Graduate Areas of Concentration
Brewing, enology, flavor chemistry, food chemistry/biochemistry, food engineering, food microbiology/biotechnology, food and seafood processing, sensory evaluation.

The Department of Food Science and Technology offers graduate programs leading toward the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. A variety of research specializations are available covering the chemical, physical, microbiological and biotechnological, and sensory properties of foods.

http://catalog.oregonstate.edu/MajorDetail.aspx?major=1350&college=01&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

Seriously, Oregon State's program is one of the reason that microbrews in Oregon are so good. I lived in Eugene for about 8 years and every decent restaurant had several good microbrews on tap. Eugene had 120,000 people and at least 5 places with breweries in the restaurant.

CBL

 

[luchog]

Seriously, Oregon State's program is one of the reason that microbrews in Oregon are so good. I lived in Eugene for about 8 years and every decent restaurant had several good microbrews on tap. Eugene had 120,000 people and at least 5 places with breweries in the restaurant.

Microbreweries and brewpubs abound throughout the Pacific Northwest, from Seattle down to the Bay Area. Some of the best beer in the world (though a lot of non-natives I know dislike the intensely resinous local hops).

Nice to see that I have yet another rationaliza^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^reason to drink lots of beer.

 

[casebro]

Hops is good stuff. It has a better ratios of COX1 to COX2 inhibitions than Vioxx ox Celebrx, so I started taking it as a pre-surgery anti-inflammatory. My later diabetes panel showed 25% improvements in lipids and microalbumin as well as H1ac. Seems it works on PPAR alpha as well as PPAR gamma, so is better than the glitazones for diabetes. It's cancer fighting mechanism is via anti-angiogenesis activity, like Taxol- my permanently swollen ankle from a bout of edema years ago went away. Since I home brew, I have Hops pellets on hand. I take a couple inchs worth of them, twice a day. A 2 1/2oz bag lasts me about 2 weeks, for $2.50. Cheapest, most effective treatment I've ever used. Only side effect is the 'green apple quick-steps' from a high-alpha-acids brand. I like East-Kent-Golding or Hallertaur rather than Cascade types.

Re: the anti-neogenisis effect- Neogenisis is blood vessel growth, neccessary for tumors to get blood flow. Also, it is the growth of scar tissue inside arteries, which is what the Vioxx folks were studying when they found the rise in heart attacks. The newer artery stents come with a coating of a Taxol derivitive to prevent re-stenosis. Seems Hops is a medical miracle, and all-around cure all?

 

[CBL4]

Microbreweries and brewpubs abound throughout the Pacific Northwest, from Seattle down to the Bay Area. Some of the best beer in the world (though a lot of non-natives I know dislike the intensely resinous local hops).

I have lived in Oregon, Washington and visited the bay area. IMO, Oregon, especially Portland, is the best place for brew pubs. I love Deschute Brewery, Bridgeport Brewery and all the McMenamin's pubs.

My sister visited us with her two kids. She was shocked when I suggested we take them to a brew pub but everyone was quite happy with the atmosphere, food and beer.

I miss Eugene.

CBL

 

[luchog]

I have lived in Oregon, Washington and visited the bay area. IMO, Oregon, especially Portland, is the best place for brew pubs. I love Deschute Brewery, Bridgeport Brewery and all the McMenamin's pubs.

Good breweries; but I tend to prefer more of the local beers. I live within walking or short bus-riding distance of a number excellent brewpubs. No fewer than 8 within a 30 minute walk or bus ride. Including Elysian, which makes the second best stout I've ever found (and has killer food, too), and Pike Brewing, who makes a killer Scotch ale. And if I want to go for a drive, I can hit at least a dozen more. Some truly amazing barleywines and belgians made right in town here as well.

For Oregon micro's, Rogue is definitely at the top of my list. Particularly the Imperial IPA and Old Crustacean barleywine.

 

[CBL4]

Good breweries; but I tend to prefer more of the local beers.

That's a good point but it takes living in the right place which I no longer do.
With two small children, I now tend to drink more beer at home which means more bottles and less pubs. The downside to local pubs is that they are less consistent and you cannot always find the same beer. Spencer's in Eugene had a great stout once but it was never again available.

I have been to a lot more brewpubs in Eugene and Portland than Seattle which could explain my bias. I live in Bremerton now which also could explain my bias against Washington.

I had a great Elysian beer (IPA?) once but have never been to the pub. When I go to Seattle, I am almost always walking from the ferry terminal. I am not partial to Pike's beer and the pub is not memorable. I would agree that the McMenamin pubs are not the best for their beers but I love the atmosphere and food in several of them (Six Arms in Seattle is not their best.)

Rogue is definitely good but not the best. Deschute's Obsidian Stout and Bachelor ESB and Bridgeport's stout and IPA are my favorites available in stores at a reasonable price.

The only publike restaurant with good beers near me has Belgian or Belgian style microbrew. Since I like hops, they are not to my taste. Some of them have alcohol content over 9% which can be a problem. Fortunately, I can stagger home from there.

CBL

 

[PatKelley]

My environment sucks. We only have Sul Ross university which offers degrees in "Meat Science" where you go to "Meat Lab."

 

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Besides curing tumors, beer also makes ugly girls prettier.

 

[luchog]

Fortunately, many of the local brewpubs bottle their beer, which is available in many of the local shops; so I never have to be without my Elysian Dragonstooth Stout. But i know what you mean. I there are a number of seasonals I try to stock up on, because they're available so infrequently. Elysian did a number of rather interesting Pumpkin beers this year, and I know that most of them I'll never again.

I have been to a lot more brewpubs in Eugene and Portland than Seattle which could explain my bias. I live in Bremerton now which also could explain my bias against Washington.

Bremerton? Ye gods. I grew up in Port Orchard. You poor sod. Please tell me you at least live up the hill near Kitsap way, or out in the Eastside; and not in the downtown/West Bremerton h3ll hole.

Rogue is definitely good but not the best. Deschute's Obsidian Stout and Bachelor ESB and Bridgeport's stout and IPA are my favorites available in stores at a reasonable price.

I definitely prefer Rogue to Deschutes; and I'm not terribly fond of the Obsidian Stout. But then, I prefer sweet stouts, particularly chocolate stouts.

The only publike restaurant with good beers near me has Belgian or Belgian style microbrew. Since I like hops, they are not to my taste. Some of them have alcohol content over 9% which can be a problem. Fortunately, I can stagger home from there.

Not having to deal with a family, and living within easy walking distance of several pubs (i'm only two blocks from Elysian), staggering home isn't an issue for me. Which is fortunate, since I love the Belgians. I'm also fond of hops, particularly the PNW varieties. Have you tried the LaConner IPA? It should be available without too much effort; and has one of the highest hops profiles i've ever encountered, very piney/citrusy.

 

[CBL4]

Originally posted by luchog[/]
Bremerton? Ye gods. I grew up in Port Orchard. You poor sod. Please tell me you at least live up the hill near Kitsap way, or out in the Eastside; and not in the downtown/West Bremerton h3ll hole.

I live in downtown West Bremerton. Haven't you heard of the Bremerton revitilization? Our motto is "Bremerton, no longer a h3ll hole." Seriously, it's still not the best area but it is turning around rapidly. The drug dealers and prostitutes are gone and the downtown area is actually looking decent.

I hate Bremerton but a few years ago they were giving away waterfront houses - 4 bedroom 2 bath for $125,000. I bought three.

You don't know how much I want to hop on a ferry and go to a pub. Other than Pike's, do you know of a good one close to the ferries? I won't go tonight but maybe next week.

CBL

 

[luchog]

I live in downtown West Bremerton. Haven't you heard of the Bremerton revitilization? Our motto is "Bremerton, no longer a h3ll hole." Seriously, it's still not the best area but it is turning around rapidly. The drug dealers and prostitutes are gone and the downtown area is actually looking decent.

Still has some issues, but you're right, it's not nearly as bad as it was when I lived on that side. Pretty dead overall, though; and I'm willing to bet that the recovery will be short-lived unless they can get some larger businesses back downtown. And having the navy yard practically next door can't be entirely pleasant.

I hate Bremerton but a few years ago they were giving away waterfront houses - 4 bedroom 2 bath for $125,000. I bought three.

Yeah. If I'd had the capital, I probably would have done the same.

You don't know how much I want to hop on a ferry and go to a pub. Other than Pike's, do you know of a good one close to the ferries? I won't go tonight but maybe next week.

Well, there's Kells, that's not far off the boat. It's in Post Alley up by the Pike Place Market (a block or two from the Pike Brewery and Pub). A good Irish pub, with a great house band; but usually overrun with Yuppies.

The Elysian is just a short bus ride straight up the Hill; about 10 minutes ride. There are two busses that will drop you off a couple blocks away; and you can catch them on 1st Ave across from the Market main entrance.

A few blocks up and south is the Rock Bottom Brewery and pub. The beers are lighter, but still decent. There's also Gordon Biersch, just a few block up from the Market, in the Pacific Place building, easy walking distance; but they brew mostly lagers, so I can't comment on the quality of their beers (don't care much for lagers). Sometime after the holidays are over and I'm not working so much overtime, drop me a note and I'll buy you a beer.

 

[CBL4]

luchog,

I will check some of them out sometime but I am not sure if I will make to Seattle soon. I am always up for a beer, I just can't seem to fit it my schedule.

I tried the Elysian IPA and it was good. I am not if it was worth the money but it was definitely good.

Thanks,

CBL

 

[skepticdoc]

I can't believe the BS on this thread!

It is pathetic to justify drinking beer with half truths, please look up the relation of hepatocellular carcinoma and alcoholism.

The only proven benefit of alcohol is improved cardiovascular health with drinking only 1-2 beers or its alcohol equivalent daily.

P.S.- I am a real doctor, I don't play one on TV!

 

[geni]

I can't believe the BS on this thread!

It is pathetic to justify drinking beer with half truths, please look up the relation of hepatocellular carcinoma

That would require a fairly high level of consumption

and alcoholism.

Most beer drinkers are not alcoholics

The only proven benefit of alcohol is improved cardiovascular health with drinking only 1-2 beers or its alcohol equivalent daily.

I assume you are talking about american beer here? 1-2 british beers would probably be serious overkill.

 

[The Central Scrutinizer]

The only proven benefit of alcohol is improved cardiovascular health with drinking only 1-2 beers or its alcohol equivalent daily.

And, as stated earlier, making ugly girls prettier. I'm not a doctor, I only speak from experience.