The Health Benefits Of Hops & How To Get Them Without Boozing

Step into any brewery and you'll see the cone-shaped hops flower, or Humulus lupulus, diligently adding flavor and aroma to beer. And it turns out, the plant has applications that far go beyond imparting bitterness to your favorite double IPA. To reap its health benefits, you don’t even have to booze up. Here's what to know about this funky flower.

This is likely because the flower is loaded with antioxidants, polyphenols, and beneficial essential oils such as linalool, which helps with oxidative stress. With all of these compounds at play, emerging research shows hops might be able to help out with the following:

First and foremost, hops is known for its calming properties. If you have trouble sleeping or you have a wonky schedule that wreaks havoc on your circadian rhythm, also known as your sleep-wake cycle, hops might be able to help. 1In one study, researchers found that female nurses who worked rotating shifts were able to fall asleep faster1 and sleep better after having non-alcoholic beer for dinner in their off-hours when compared to a control group that did not drink the brew.

Functional medicine doctor Amy Shah, M.D. credits hops' mood-boosting properties to the way it interacts with the body's serotonin and melatonin receptors.

Hops may also help with hot flashes3 and other symptoms of menopause, according to another 3study. A flavonoid in hops, known as 8-prenylnaringenin, is a phytoestrogen, a plant-based compound that may behave like estrogen in the body. However, more research is needed on this topic to determine the safety of long-term dosing.

A review of existing medical data states that the compounds in hops show promise in warding off some disease processes, including those related to metabolic syndrome. "Hops has a flavanoid compound called xanthohumol and this is felt to possibly have antiviral, anti-clotting, anti-inflammatory, and even anti-tumor activity," adds Singh.

Finally, the dried and crushed flowers can be used as a food seasoning. Sprinkle as you would an Italian seasoning and be prepared for a bitter and tangy bite.

Anyone with a history of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer should avoid using hops as a supplement because it contains a phytoestrogen.

Hops are widely known for giving different beer styles their flavor and aroma profiles, but they can be consumed without having to toast the town. Ongoing research backs up the benefits of hops in supplements meant to promote better sleep, mood, and overall health.