Can an ingredient in beer treat insomnia and hot flashes?
Hops are the flower of the hop plant (Humulus lupulus ), commonly used to make beer. However, in addition to flavoring ales and pilsners, hops have been studied for potential health purposes. Cistanche Tubulosa Extract
Many of the perceived benefits of hops are attributed to essential oils and flavonoid compounds found in flowers, like xanthohumol and 8-prenylnaringenin . These flavonoids may possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties.
Hops also contain the bitter acids humulone and lupulone , which may have antimicrobial properties.
However, health claims surrounding hops are not well-supported by scientific evidence.
This article will dive deeper into the potential uses of hops. It will also discuss dosage, side effects, precautions, interactions, and storage information.
Dietary supplements are not regulated like drugs in the United States, meaning the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve them for safety and effectiveness before products are marketed. When possible, choose a supplement tested by a trusted third party, such as USP, ConsumerLab, or NSF.
However, even if supplements are third-party tested, it doesn’t mean they are necessarily safe for all or effective in general. Therefore, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider about any supplements you plan to take and check in about potential interactions with other supplements or medications.
Supplement use should be individualized and vetted by a healthcare professional, such as a registered dietitian (RD), pharmacist, or healthcare provider. No supplement is intended to treat, cure, or prevent disease.
Herbalists and supplement manufacturers claim that adding hops to a diet can improve overall health and prevent certain diseases. Though, many of these claims are unsubstantiated. It's important to note that no supplement should be used to replace standard medical care for any health condition.
Here is a look at some of the current research.
Various components found in hops are thought to have mild sedative properties that may have applications in medicine.
A few small studies have investigated the effects of hops on sleep-wake cycles using nonalcoholic beer.
One very small study included 17 nurses assigned female at birth. The nurses, who worked rotating or night shifts, were given hop-containing nonalcoholic beer at dinnertime for two weeks. Researchers monitored their sleep patterns with a wristband sleep tracker. The results suggested that the beer not only helped participants fall asleep slightly faster but also reduced anxiety levels.
These results are similar to a 2014 study of 30 college students in which questionnaires were used to determine sleep habits. After one week of recording sleep habits, students were asked to drink nonalcoholic beer with their dinner for 14 days. Compared with the first week, the students reported significant improvements in sleep habits, including the time it took to fall asleep after drinking nonalcoholic beer.
Hops are sometimes combined with other herbs, like valerian and passionflower, to treat insomnia.
A 2013 study compared the sleeping pill Ambien (zolpidem) to a combination pill that contained hops, valerian, and passionflower. In the study, both the sleeping pill and the herbal remedy were found to be equally effective. However, it's difficult to determine if the hops were more or less effective than the other herbs in the study.
The flavonoid 8-prenylnaringenin found in hops is classified as a phytoestrogen—a plant-based compound that mimics the activity of the female hormone estrogen. Some believe that 8-prenylnaringenin can help increase estrogenic activity in the body, overcoming symptoms of estrogen deficiency, especially during menopause.
Hot flashes are a common side effect of menopause. Hops may be able to help ease this effect.
In both animal and human trials, hops supplementation has correlated with improvements in hot flashes. Various studies have found that when compared to a placebo, hops were thought to alleviate hot flashes associated with menopause.
However, the researchers noted the potential for adverse effects with long-term supplementation with hops. Additionally, further research is needed to determine an optimal dosing strategy.
A flavonoid in hops called xanthohumol is believed to have properties that may help relax blood vessels and improve blood circulation.
One study performed on rats found that xanthohumol extracted from hops reduced calcification in arteries and veins. Researchers from the study believed these results to mean that xanthohumol may have a potential role in decreasing the risk of cardiovascular (heart) disease.
Although these results seem promising, and other lab and animal studies have drawn similar conclusions, the role of hops and xanthohumol has yet to be studied in humans. More research is needed in this area.
Although hops cannot directly prevent cancer, xanthohumol, and other compounds in hops, may display anticancer effects.
According to a 2018 review, xanthohumol was found to kill various types of cancer in test tube studies. Xanthohumol was found to be cytotoxic , meaning that it "poisoned" and killed cells, including cancer cells. It was also found to trigger apoptosis, also known as programmed cell death.
More research, including human trials, must be conducted to draw conclusions.
Hops are being studied as a potential treatment for depression and other mood disorders.
A small human trial from 2017 looked at healthy college students with self-reported mood disorders. For the placebo-controlled clinical trial, 36 young adults with mild depression were given either 400 milligrams (mg) of Melcalin hops or a placebo (an ineffective substance) for four weeks. At the end of the study, those taking hops showed significant reductions in anxiety, stress, and depression levels compared to the placebo group.
Once again, though, further research should be conducted regarding hops and their potential role in treating mood disorders. More large-scale human trials are needed.
When taken as a supplement, hops are believed to be generally safe and have minimal side effects. However, side effects are possible when taking hops and may be mild or severe.
The side effects of hops are few, and reactions to the supplement are rare.
Some people may experience drowsiness or dizziness when taking hops supplements.
Typically, these side effects will go away once you stop taking hops. If side effects don't improve or disappear, talk to your healthcare provider.
Hops may cause hypersensitivity reactions in some people.
Hypersensitivity is characterized as an extreme allergic reaction. These reactions may occur within 24 hours of taking hops, or they may take longer to appear.
These reactions can range in severity, with anaphylaxis being a medical emergency.
You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience a severe reaction to hops.
Certain people may not be able to consume hops, and others should take extra precautions before trying the supplement.
It's recommended that people who are pregnant or breastfeeding avoid using hops. This is because there is not enough research available to determine whether hops are safe for people in these groups.
People with estrogen-dependent conditions, including endometriosis and certain types of breast cancer, should avoid hops due to their potential estrogen-like activity.
Due to its sedative properties, hops should be stopped at least two weeks before surgery. The concern is that taking hops before surgery may amplify the effects of anesthesia.
Always speak with a healthcare provider before taking a supplement to ensure that the supplement and dosage are appropriate for your individual needs.
Due to a lack of quality research, it is not known at what dose hops supplements are beneficial or at what point they may be harmful. Because of this, there are no standardized dosage recommendations for hops.
Hops extracts are generally considered safe in doses of up to 300 milligrams daily for three months or less. Hops bitter acids may be used in 35-milligram daily doses for the same amount of time.
It's best to follow dosage instructions on your hops supplement label or healthcare provider.
Little is known about adverse events associated with taking too many hops. This is due to limited research regarding any potential toxicities.
Hops do not appear to cause liver injury or toxicity.
As with any supplement, you may be more likely to experience side effects if you take more hops than you should. Recall that potential side effects include drowsiness and dizziness.
To prevent potential adverse effects, use hops supplements only as directed.
Hops may interact with a handful of medications, herbs, and other supplements, including:
Hops may interact with other medications, herbs, and supplements. Be sure your healthcare provider knows about all the medications, herbs, and supplements you use before starting hops.
It is important that you carefully read the ingredients list and nutrition facts panel of any new supplement. This will ensure you are aware of the ingredients and how much of each ingredient is included in the supplement. Please review supplement labels with your healthcare provider to discuss potential interactions with foods, other supplements, and medications.
Store hops supplements in a cool, dry place. They should be kept away from extreme temperatures as well as direct sunlight. Typically, hops don't need to be refrigerated but follow any storage directions on the product label.
Discard any remaining hops supplements once the expiration date passes.
Other herbs and supplements that have been studied for similar uses as hops includes:
Talk with your healthcare provider about which herbs and supplements are right for you.
Hops are naturally gluten-free. If you're choosing a hops supplement, then it should be gluten-free as well. Double-check the product label.
Beer, which contains hops, is not usually gluten-free, but gluten-free brands are available.
Hops are not a grain. Instead, hops are the flowering part of the hops plant (Humulus lupulus). Hops flowers are typically dried when used to make supplements.
Hops contain a type of phytoestrogen called 8-prenylnaringenin.
Phytoestrogens come from certain plant foods and act like natural estrogen in the body. The phytoestrogen properties of hops are thought to make it a possible treatment for hot flashes related to menopause.
Hops may contain certain substances that may be beneficial for various health conditions. However, hops are not a vital nutrient required by your body, so there are no recommendations when it comes to food vs. supplement sources.
No solid foods naturally contain hops, but beer is often brewed with hops to add bitterness and flavor.
Some people choose to add dried hops to various dishes and recipes. However, they're generally used as supplements for health purposes.
Typically, hops supplements are sold in capsule, tincture, or powder forms. Tablets and other forms may also be available.
Most hops supplements are gluten-free and vegan. But be sure to check the product label if you follow these or other special diets. Some capsules may be made with non-vegan ingredients.
Dietary supplements are not required to undergo the rigorous testing and research that pharmaceutical drugs do. For this reason, the quality of supplements can vary from one brand to the next. To ensure quality and safety, only choose supplements from reliable, well-known brands.
While many vitamin manufacturers will voluntarily submit their supplements for quality testing by an independent certifying body (like USP, NSF International, and ConsumerLab), the practice is less common among herbal supplement manufacturers.
Hops are dried flowers from the Humulus lupulus plant that may have health benefits. Hops have been studied for potential uses in alleviating hot flashes, treating insomnia, and improving mood. However, research regarding the specific uses of hops is limited and conflicting.
Hops are generally considered safe to take, although some side effects, like dizziness and drowsiness, can occur. Moreover, hops may interact with some medications and other herbal supplements. You should talk with your healthcare provider before adding hops to your daily routine.
Dostálek P, Karabín M, Jelínek L. Hop phytochemicals and their potential role in metabolic syndrome prevention and therapy. Molecules. 2017;22(10):1761. doi:10.3390/molecules22101761
Knez Hrnčič M, Španinger E, Košir IJ, Knez Ž, Bren U. Hop compounds: extraction techniques, chemical analyses, antioxidative, antimicrobial, and anticarcinogenic effects. Nutrients. 2019;11(2):257. doi:10.3390/nu11020257
U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus. Hops.
Hops. In: LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
Bolton JL, Dunlap TL, Hajirahimkhan A, et al. The multiple biological targets of hops and bioactive compounds. Chem Res Toxicol. 2019;32(2):222-233. doi:10.1021/acs.chemrestox.8b00345
Franco L, Sánchez C, Bravo R, et al. The sedative effect of non-alcoholic beer in healthy female nurses. PLoS One. 2012;7(7):e37290. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0037290
Franco L, Bravo R, Galán C, Rodríguez AB, Barriga C, Cubero J. Effect of non-alcoholic beer on subjective sleep quality in a university stressed population. Acta Physiol Hung. 2014;101(3):353-61. doi:10.1556/APhysiol.101.2014.3.10
Maroo N, Hazra A, Das T. Efficacy and safety of a polyherbal sedative-hypnotic formulation NSF-3 in primary insomnia in comparison to zolpidem: a randomized controlled trial. Indian J Pharmacol. 2013;45(1):34–9. doi:10.4103/0253-7613.106432
Štulíková K, Karabín M, Nešpor J, Dostálek P. Therapeutic perspectives of 8-prenylnaringenin, a potent phytoestrogen from hops.Molecules.2018;23(3):660.doi:10.3390/molecules23030660
Liou SF, Nguyen TTN, Hsu JH, et al. The preventive effects of xanthohumol on vascular calcification induced by vitamin D3 plus nicotine. Antioxidants (Basel). 2020;9(10):956. doi:10.3390/antiox9100956
Jiang CH, Sun TL, Xiang DX, Wei SS, Li WQ. Anticancer activity and mechanism of xanthohumol: a prenylated flavonoid from hops (Humulus lupulus L.). Front Pharmacol. 2018;9:530. doi:10.3389/fphar.2018.00530
Kyrou I, Christou A, Panagiotakos D, et al. Effects of a hops (Humulus lupulus L.) dry extract supplement on self-reported depression, anxiety and stress levels in apparently healthy young adults: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover pilot study. Hormones (Athens). 2017;16(2):171-180. doi:10.14310/horm.2002.1738
Justiz Vaillant AA, Vashisht R, Zito PM. Immediate hypersensitivity reactions. In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2022.
Yuan Y, Qiu X, Nikolić D, Chen SN, Huang K, Li G, Pauli GF, van Breemen RB. Inhibition of human cytochrome P450 enzymes by hops (Humulus lupulus) and hop prenylphenols. Eur J Pharm Sci. 2014;53:55-61. doi: 10.1016/j.ejps.2013.12.003
Fatemeh G, Sajjad M, Niloufar R, Neda S, Leila S, Khadijeh M. Effect of melatonin supplementation on sleep quality: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Neurol. 2022;269(1):205-216. doi:10.1007/s00415-020-10381-w
Mohapatra S, Iqubal A, Ansari MJ, et al. Benefits of black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) for women health: an up-close and in-depth review. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2022;15(3):278. doi:10.3390/ph15030278
Panyod S, Wu WK, Chen PC, et al. Atherosclerosis amelioration by allicin in raw garlic through gut microbiota and trimethylamine-N-oxide modulation. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes. 2022;8(1):4. doi:10.1038/s41522-022-00266-3
Ivanova Stojcheva E, Quintela JC. The effectiveness of Rhodiola rosea L. preparations in alleviating various aspects of life-stress symptoms and stress-induced conditions-encouraging clinical evidence. Molecules. 2022;27(12):3902. doi:10.3390/molecules27123902
By Brittany Lubeck, MS, RDN Brittany Lubeck, RD, is a nutrition writer and registered dietitian with a master's degree in clinical nutrition.
Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.
There was an error. Please try again.
Micronized Resveratrol By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.