Chinese researchers from Lanzhou University found that a substance in hops, which give beer its bitter flavor, is a natural antioxidant.



The compound, called xanthohumol, seems to protect impulse-transmitting brain cells from the type of oxidation damage that occurs in Parkinson's and Alzheimer's patients.

The study was published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

The health-promoting benefits of wine is more often touted over beer, but a new study suggests that the foamy beverage may help protect the brain from Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.