Hordenine is mainly found in barley and bitter orange. For this reason, drinking beer may raise blood hordenine levels. Very limited research in animals and cells suggests it may help increase energy and focus or whiten the skin. However, taking too much hordenine may cause false positives in drug tests and produce a variety of negative side effects. Read below to learn more about this barley compound.<\/p>\n
Hordenine, otherwise known as N, N-dimethyltyramine, is an alkaloid mainly found in plants used as feed for animals, such as barley. Indeed, its name comes from the Latin name for barley (hordeum<\/em>) [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n It is adrenergic<\/em>, meaning it causes brain cells to release the neurotransmitters<\/strong> epinephrine (adrenaline) and<\/strong> norepinephrine<\/strong><\/a> (noradrenaline)<\/strong>. These neurotransmitters increase energy and focus and are part of the \u201cfight-or-flight\u201d response [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Several scandals involving racing horses given food containing hordenine to improve their performance have come to light. However, the slight increase in performance caused by hordenine is deemed insufficient to be considered cheating in most countries [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n This is mainly because hordenine\u2019s effects are short-lived and a very high concentration of hordenine is needed to bring about any noticeable effects [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In Canada, however, it is considered illegal and horses are not allowed to eat hordenine-rich diets [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Hordenine can be used to measure beer consumption<\/strong>, as hordenine levels in the blood increase significantly following consumption. For instance, a study suggested its use in forensic toxicology [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n The main sources are:<\/p>\n No clinical evidence supports the use of hordenine for any of the conditions listed in this section. Below is a summary of the existing animal and cell-based research, which should guide further investigational efforts. However, the studies should not be interpreted as supportive of any health benefit.<\/p>\n<\/a>Food Sources of Hordenine<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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<\/a>Snapshot<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>Proponents<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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<\/a>Skeptics<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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<\/a>Health Benefits of Hordenine<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/a>Animal and Cell Research Lack of Evidence<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n