Hops may help yield new drugs, says study

GlobalPost

A new study suggests that hops, the ingredient that makes beer bitter, may help in the creation of new medicines.

Researchers at the University of Washington say that hops may be able to create new drugs to treat cancer, diabetes and other illnesses.

Prior studies have shown that beer can have beneficial effects against diabetes, inflammation and cancer, said UPI.

It was believed the bitter hops had something to do with the results.

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The current study used X-ray technology to peer into the hops and better understand humulones, bitter-tasting compounds in the plant, said Science World Report.

The scientists found that the isolated humulones could have benefits outside of giving beer its distinctive taste. 

The study was published in the journal Angewandte Chemie International Edition.

The study was funded by KinDex Therapeutics of Seattle.

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