366 48 208 48zM0 hops bread 93. Hops was used traditionally to support relaxation and sleep. Modern research shows that it may be helpful for weight loss, menopausal discomfort, and improving mood.

In this article, we will look at the health benefits of hops, its safety, and history. Hops is a perennial plant that is part of the Cannabaceae family, along with cannabis. The plant has many varieties and is native to Europe, Asia, and the United States. There are more than 250 different varieties of hops worldwide. Although different in aroma, bitterness, and flavor, each variety imparts similar health benefits.

Hops has a relaxing effect on the body and is said to relieve nervous tension, promote sleep, and reduce anxiety and depression. As a tincture, hops is commonly used to reduce menopausal symptoms and encourage weight loss. Many of its traditional uses have been scientifically tested and confirmed to be effective. There are many traditional and modern purported health benefits of hops. These benefits include support with menopausal symptoms, sleep improvement, weight loss increase, and pain relief. Below we have listed the top research-backed benefits of hops and its active constituents.

Research shows that hops may naturally improve sleep quality. Getting adequate amounts of deep sleep is key for mental and physical health. In a study involving non-alcoholic beer, hops content was found to improve sleep quality in 17 healthy female nurses. Along with its sedative effects, the hops was also found to decrease anxiety levels. In another trial using an herbal compound, 184 participants with mild insomnia were administered hops and valerian tablets for 28 days.

Results showed an overall improvement in sleep quality and no recurring symptoms after the tablets were discontinued. A variety of animal studies have shown that hops and its active constituents have a relaxing effect on the body and will improve sleep quality. Traditional knowledge, modern research, and herbal authorities indicate that hops and its active constituents have sleeping-inducing and sleep-improving properties. While there are a number of human and animal clinical trials to support this claim, isolated clinical trials on hops would be helpful in understanding its full potential. Hops may have the ability to reduce menopausal symptoms.

This may be in part due to the estrogen-like compounds present in hops. In a clinical trial involving 67 menopausal women, researchers found that hops extract reduced the number of hot flashes over a 6-week timeline. 36 menopausal women over the course of 16 weeks. Although menopausal symptoms were reduced, researchers mentioned that the 8-PN enhancement of the hops extract may lead to some variability due to the difference in women’s metabolisms. Another study observing 120 women with early menopausal symptoms mentions that hops tablets reduced symptoms after 12 weeks of administration. Symptoms included anxiety, depression, hot flushes, and loss of interest in sex.

Clinical evidence demonstrates that hops and its active constituents have the ability to support various menopausal symptoms ranging. It should be noted that physiological constitution plays a significant role in how effective hops can be. Various lab studies show that hops has the ability to promote weight loss and prevent weight gain. Maintaining a healthy weight is key to optimal health and longevity. 12 weeks reduced overall body fat. There was a significant decrease in BMI with emphasis on fat loss of the abdominal visceral fat.

In a recent study, administration of a bitter hops-based appetite suppressant proved to regulate appetite and suppress hunger. A lab-based study found that an active constituent in hops, xanthohumol, has the ability to break down fat molecules. This process encourages the body to use fat for energy instead of carbohydrates and stimulates fat loss. Various animal studies have demonstrated xanthohumol’s anti-obesity effect. These effects were displayed through the inhibition of fat absorption and the regulation of fat metabolism.

Modern human and animal research provides evidence that hops and its active constituents can reduce hunger, prevent the accumulation of fat, and encourage weight loss. Hops is an herb known to support mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Both anxiety and depression affect mood and behavior and are classified as mental health disorders. In a study with healthy young adults experiencing mild anxiety, depression, and stress, administration of a hops dry extract reduced symptoms after a 4-week period. Researchers saw significant decreases in depression and anxiety scores of all the participants taking hops.