You’re almost certainly familiar with the term “beer-belly”, referring to the bloated, pudgy belly associated with the over consumption of beer. But research has emerged linking excess hop consumption to gynecomastia, colloquially known as “man boobs”.

While diet and exercise are two of the most common causes of “moobs”, hormone levels play a significant part in whether or not you develop them. The reason IPAs and their other hoppy cousins may be partly responsible is that they contain phytoestrogens, a chemical compound that naturally occurs in plants.

Phytoestrogens have an upside. They are known to help you sleep and can also be beneficial to women going through menopause. But for men, they can cause “moobs” and “brewer’s droop” – a form of erectile dysfunction that is tied to alcohol consumption.

Stephen Harrod Buhner, author of the 1998 book Sacred and Herbal Healing Beers explains.

[From] long-term exposure to the estrogenic properties of hops, [they] eventually have difficulty sustaining erection.

Don’t stress hop-heads, there are things you can do to mitigate the risks of developing moobs. Those with higher body fat are more likely to produce higher levels of estrogen. Add this to the natural testosterone boost produced by exercise and there double the reason to hit the gym.

By cutting down on consumption of alcohol, refined carbohydrates and sugars, you can also mitigate your risk. Try consuming more leafy greens, such as spinach, kale and brussels sprouts, which the article produced by the Independent claims also help.

So There You Have It

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