According to researchers, a beer compound can protect brain cells from damage. It can also potentially slow the development of disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.
Jianguo Fang from Lanzhou University’s school of chemistry and colleagues discovered that one compound found in hops called xanthohumol has antioxidant, cardiovascular protection and anticancer properties. They decided to test xanthohumol’s effects on brain cells.
In lab tests, they found that the compound could protect neuronal cells and potentially help slow the development of brain disorders. If scientists could find a way to guard these cells from this type of damage, they might be able to prevent or slow down Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions.
The findings were reported in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.
Source: IANS
