If you prefer more hops in your beer and you’re a dude, well…there may be some side effects that go along with enjoying your favorite brew.
And no, it’s not just the extra calories.
India Pale Ales have a signature, bitter flavor that comes from hops, and hops contain a plant-based form of estrogen called phytoestrogen.
And scientists believe that phytoestrogen could cause men to develop man boobs and also (oops) erectile dysfunction.
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They’re calling it “Brewer’s Droop,” which…I’m not sure that’s going to stick.
A team of researchers from Columbia and Spain wrote about the condition in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.
“It does not seem to be just a temporary problem, because erectile ability was still affected after a year and, according to the results, did not seem likely to improve just with alcohol abstinence.”
Stephen Herrod Buhner, herbalist and author, warned in Vice that too much phytoestrogen in men can cause hormonal imbalances that could cause a condition called gynecomastia (enlarged breasts).
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“From long-term exposure to the estrogenic properties of hops, they eventually have difficulty sustaining an erection.”
On the upside, hops also contain a substance called xanthohumol, which some believe has antiviral, anti-clotting, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor properties (according to Dr. Andrew Weil). Hops have been used since ancient times to promote sleep, too, and if you’re a woman (especially over a certain age), a little extra estrogen could be just what the doctor ordered.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B27yMnqlcci/
There are pros and cons when it comes to most things in life, and I mean, man boobs never hurt anyone.
What I’m saying is that if you love hops, well, enjoy your beer.
You like what you like, right?
