Another excuse to drink: Cancer beating beer

Mother nature is a wonder.

There's the coffee hyped for its antioxidants and other benefits. The tea... Wine... Now comes cancer beating beer.

Scientists have found a powerful antioxidant inside hops, the flavor component of beer. It's called Xanthohumol or Xan.

From a medical report on WSVN-TV:
Xanthohumol has been shown to be a very active substance against cancer. This particular antioxidant inhibits a family of enzymes that can activate the process of cancer. It also helps the body detoxify carcinogens, stopping tumor growth at an early stage. Preliminary studies at Oregon State University show Xan can kill breast, colon, ovarian, and prostate cancers. Xanthohumol contains antioxidants more powerful than vitamin E, and studies are now showing it also reduces bad cholesterol, but just drinking more beer won't do the trick. It takes 60 beers to equal the amount of Xan. The German researchers are brewing in this health beer. The next step, is working on ways to give all beers higher levels of Xanthohumol and looking for ways to add it to other foods, like chocolate.

The good news for women, another compound in hops can ultimately help prevent post-menopausal, hot flashes and osteoporosis.