Best known for their role in beer brewing, the female flowers of the hop are being increasingly used in supplements for insomnia, anxiety, and menopausal symptoms. In addition, research on their components has revealed new activities with promising clinical applications. Read below to learn more about hops\u2019 health benefits.<\/p>\n
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Hops are the female flowers of hop (Humulus<\/em> lupulus L<\/em>.), a climbing plant belonging to the same family as hemp (Cannabaceae<\/em>). Hop most likely originated in China, Southern Caucasus and Siberia, or Mesopotamia, from where it spread to Japan, America, and Central Europe [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Due to its role in beer brewing, which accounts for 98% of its use, hop is nowadays cultivated in all warmer regions.<\/strong> The different compounds in hops add a bitter flavor to beer, prevent the growth of unwanted microorganisms during the brewing process, and stabilize foam [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Due to the scarcity of clinical studies, hops and its active components have not been approved by the FDA for medical use. Further research will be required to determine whether they are effective or safe for long-term use.<\/p>\n Nevertheless, hops extract is commercially available as a supplement. Regulations set manufacturing standards for supplements but don\u2019t guarantee that they are safe or effective. Talk to your doctor before using hops supplements to avoid unexpected interactions.<\/p>\n Menopause is the cessation of menstrual cycles in women. It is accompanied by a reduction in female sex hormone levels, which causes symptoms such as [R<\/a>]:<\/p>\n Both hops extract and its component 8-prenylnaringenin improved these symptoms and life quality in three clinical trials on over 200 menopausal women [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In a pilot trial of 100 women, a gel containing hops extract reduced vaginal dryness [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In several studies in female rats whose ovaries were removed to mimic menopausal hormone deficiency, hops extract or 8-prenylnaringenin reduced hot flashes, improved some bone mass and architecture parameters (although it worsened others), and increased sex drive [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In a small trial on 72 menopausal women, a morning\/evening formula in which the morning capsule contained ginseng<\/a>, black cohosh<\/a>, soy, and green tea<\/a> extracts and the evening capsule contained black cohosh, soy, kava<\/a>, hops, and valerian extracts improved several menopausal symptoms including hot flashes and sleep disturbances [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In a trial on 36 people with at least mild depression, stress, or anxiety, hops extract improved all the symptoms [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In rats, hops extract had antidepressant activity –measured as a reduction of the time that rats spent floating immobile in a cylinder filled with water [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In a small trial on 17 people, one can (333 mL, a bit more than 1 cup) of non-alcoholic beer improved sleep quality. Hop was suggested as the main beer component responsible for this effect [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Hops extract increased sleeping time and reduced physical activity and body temperature in mice and rats taking sedatives. In a study in quails, whose sleep-wake rhythm is very similar to that of humans, a dose of 2 mg hops extract was most effective in reducing night activity while preserving a normal circadian<\/a> activity\/rest rhythm [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Hops are frequently combined with valerian to fight insomnia<\/strong>. In three trials on over 250 people, this combination was more effective than placebo. Two of them showed that the combination was also more effective than valerian alone [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Similarly, the combination of hops, valerian, and purple passionflower was as effective as the drug zolpidem in a trial on 78 people with insomnia [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n However, two other trials on over 250 people taking supplements with hops extract found no effects on sleep quality [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<\/a>Health Benefits of Hops<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/a>Possibly Effective for:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>1) Menopausal Symptoms<\/span><\/h3>\n
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<\/a>Insufficient Evidence for:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>2) Anxiety and Mood Disorders<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>3) Sleep<\/span><\/h3>\n