# Besides beer, are hops used in anything else?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/besides-beer-are-hops-used-in-anything-else/550273
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [August 14, 2010, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/besides-beer-are-hops-used-in-anything-else/550273 "2010-08-14T20:31:59Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)
#### Post date: [August 14, 2010, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/besides-beer-are-hops-used-in-anything-else/550273/1 "2010-08-14T20:31:59Z")
Or is beer the only thing they’re used in?
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### Author:  [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)
#### Post date: [August 14, 2010, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/besides-beer-are-hops-used-in-anything-else/550273/2 "2010-08-14T20:35:01Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#):
>
> Or is beer the only thing they’re used in?
According to [Wikipedia,](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hops#Other_uses) not really.
But I thought I had heard of people making tea with it.
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### Author:  [@Darth\_Ayebaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Ayebaw)
#### Post date: [August 14, 2010, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/besides-beer-are-hops-used-in-anything-else/550273/3 "2010-08-14T20:40:02Z")
Some people make tea with, or even smoke hops, but again it’s a very minor percentage of use.
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### Author:  [@constanze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/constanze)
#### Post date: [August 14, 2010, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/besides-beer-are-hops-used-in-anything-else/550273/4 "2010-08-14T21:19:02Z")
Over here, tea from hops to help with sleeping problems is an old folk remedy that probably dates before the introduction of beer here. It’s still recommended as easy way from the natural doctors (instead of going to the strong sleeping pills). Hops contain a certain ingredient that causes sleepiness and has been identified; it’s also present in beer (so it’s not the alcohol alone that makes you sleepy after beer).
Instead of tea, some people also put hop buds into their pillow to smell them.
Hop also contains a phyto female hormone, which is the reason that beer drinkers get not only a gut, but also often male breasts (the main cause of course is the calorie content of the alcohol, which results in putting on fat; but the hormone steers a bit where the fat goes). I don’t remember at the moment if that aspect is used in natural medicine for menopause treatment, I think it’s weak compared with soy and other plants.
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### Author:  [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)
#### Post date: [August 14, 2010, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/besides-beer-are-hops-used-in-anything-else/550273/5 "2010-08-14T21:22:25Z")
Hops can be dried and stuffed into little pillows which supposedly aid sleep by their aroma.
Hop shoots can be eaten like asparagus (I haven’t tried this yet, but it’s on my list)
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### Author:  [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)
#### Post date: [August 14, 2010, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/besides-beer-are-hops-used-in-anything-else/550273/6 "2010-08-14T23:35:48Z")
> [@constanze](#):
>
> Hops contain a certain ingredient that causes sleepiness and has been identified; it’s also present in beer (so it’s not the alcohol alone that makes you sleepy after beer).
Cite?
> [@constanze](#):
>
> Hop also contains a phyto female hormone, which is the reason that beer drinkers get not only a gut, but also often male breasts (the main cause of course is the calorie content of the alcohol, which results in putting on fat; but the hormone steers a bit where the fat goes).
Cite?
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### Author:  [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)
#### Post date: [August 14, 2010, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/besides-beer-are-hops-used-in-anything-else/550273/7 "2010-08-14T23:43:31Z")
> [@needscoffee](#):
>
> > [@constanze](#):
> >
> > Hops contain a certain ingredient that causes sleepiness and has been identified; it’s also present in beer (so it’s not the alcohol alone that makes you sleepy after beer).
>
> Cite?
The wiki article I linked to above mentions this.
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### Author:  [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)
#### Post date: [August 15, 2010, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/besides-beer-are-hops-used-in-anything-else/550273/8 "2010-08-15T00:05:24Z")
Hops also shows promise as a _cancer preventative. Nothing like “proven”, but there are some interesting studies showing it to be both chemopreventive, antitumor and antiangiogenic_\*\*
\*\*Dietz BM, Kang YH, Liu G, et al. Xanthohumol isolated from Humulus lupulus Inhibits menadione-induced DNA damage through induction of quinone reductase. Chem Res Toxicol. Aug 2005;18(8):1296-1305.
Delmulle L, Bellahcene A, Dhooge W, et al. Anti-proliferative properties of prenylated flavonoids from hops (Humulus lupulus L.) in human prostate cancer cell lines. Phytomedicine. Nov 2006;13(9-10):732-734.
Nozawa H, Nakao W, Zhao F, Kondo K. Dietary supplement of isohumulones inhibits the formation of aberrant crypt foci with a concomitant decrease in prostaglandin E2 level in rat colon. Mol Nutr Food Res. Aug 2005;49(8):772-778.
\*\*Monteiro R, Faria A, Azevedo I, Calhau C. Modulation of breast cancer cell survival by aromatase inhibiting hop (Humulus lupulus L.) flavonoids.J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. Jun-Jul 2007;105(1-5):124-130.
\*\*_Albini A, Dell’Eva R, Vene R, et al. Mechanisms of the antiangiogenic activity by the hop flavonoid xanthohumol: NF-kappaB and Akt as targets.FASEB J. Mar 2006;20(3):527-529._
Also, it may be an aid in **weight loss, lipid reduction** and even the prevention of **diabetes** :
\*Yajima H, Ikeshima E, Shiraki M, et al. Isohumulones, bitter acids derived from hops, activate both peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha and gamma and reduce insulin resistance. J Biol Chem. Aug 6 2004;279(32):33456-33462.
Shimura M, Hasumi A, Minato T, et al. Isohumulones modulate blood lipid status through the activation of PPAR alpha. Biochim Biophys Acta. Sep 5 2005;1736(1):51-60
Yajima H, Noguchi T, Ikeshima E, et al. Prevention of diet-induced obesity by dietary isomerized hop extract containing isohumulones, in rodents. Int J Obes (Lond). Aug 2005;29(8):991-997…\*
**constanze** , indeed, hops is often in menopause formulas to **reduce hot flashes**. One study I know of showed good results: _Heyerick A, Vervarcke S, Depypere H, Bracke M, De Keukeleire D. A first prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the use of a standardized hop extract to alleviate menopausal discomforts. Maturitas. May 20 2006;54(2):164-175._
Hops combined with valerian does indeed **aid in sleep** , but I’ve never had much luck with hops alone. Together with valerian, it works better than valerian alone, though, so I do believe it’s got some active ingredient working. Most herbals appropriately suggest its use with valerian, and at least one study has borne this out, too: _Morin CM, Koetter U, Bastien C, Ware JC, Wooten V. Valerian-hops combination and diphenhydramine for treating insomnia: a randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial.Sleep. Nov 1 2005;28(11):1465-1471._
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### Author:  [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)
#### Post date: [August 15, 2010, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/besides-beer-are-hops-used-in-anything-else/550273/9 "2010-08-15T02:40:26Z")
Cosmetics -
Mascara: [YSL](http://www.yslbeautyus.com/make-up-eyes-mascara/c38_41_47/p160/mascara-aquaresistant-waterproof-mascara/product_info.html), [Stila](http://www.stilacosmetics.com/product_detail.asp?PMID=652&catID=164&departID=1)
Deodorant: [Tom’s of Maine](http://www.tomsofmaine.com/products/deodorant/product-details/original-care-deodorant-stick)
Concealer: [Too Faced](http://www.toofaced.com/product_template.asp?dept_sub_id=8&dept_id=2&cat_id=15)
I used to have mascara made with hops. It smelled like beer.
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### Author:  [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)
#### Post date: [August 15, 2010, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/besides-beer-are-hops-used-in-anything-else/550273/10 "2010-08-15T03:36:45Z")
> [@amarinth](#):
>
> Cosmetics -
> Mascara: [YSL](http://www.yslbeautyus.com/make-up-eyes-mascara/c38_41_47/p160/mascara-aquaresistant-waterproof-mascara/product_info.html), [Stila](http://www.stilacosmetics.com/product_detail.asp?PMID=652&catID=164&departID=1)
> Deodorant: [Tom’s of Maine](http://www.tomsofmaine.com/products/deodorant/product-details/original-care-deodorant-stick)
> Concealer: [Too Faced](http://www.toofaced.com/product_template.asp?dept_sub_id=8&dept_id=2&cat_id=15)
>
> I used to have mascara made with hops. It smelled like beer.
Don’t forget shampoo: [Body on Tap](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_on_tap)
😃
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### Author:  [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)
#### Post date: [August 15, 2010, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/besides-beer-are-hops-used-in-anything-else/550273/11 "2010-08-15T05:38:35Z")
> [@WhyNot](#):
>
> Hops combined with valerian does indeed **aid in sleep** , but I’ve never had much luck with hops alone.\*
I feel tired after drinking 12 beers. Is it because of the hops?
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### Author:  [@GHO57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GHO57)
#### Post date: [August 15, 2010, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/besides-beer-are-hops-used-in-anything-else/550273/12 "2010-08-15T06:24:44Z")
> [@needscoffee](#):
>
> > [@constanze](#):
> >
> > Hop also contains a phyto female hormone, which is the reason that beer drinkers get not only a gut, but also often male breasts (the main cause of course is the calorie content of the alcohol, which results in putting on fat; but the hormone steers a bit where the fat goes).
>
> Cite?
Not sure what you needed a cite on, so…
Hormones in hops [The pharmacognosy of Humulus lupulus L. (hops) with an emphasis on estrogenic properties - PMC](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1852439/)
The specific phytoestrogen [Identification of a potent phytoestrogen in hops (Humulus lupulus L.) and beer - PubMed](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10372741)
Chemical breakdown of hops [http://images.katalogas.lt/maleidykla/che42/C-31.pdf](http://images.katalogas.lt/maleidykla/che42/C-31.pdf)
The \*where the fat goes \* part. [http://humrep.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/12/suppl\_1/21.pdf](http://humrep.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/12/suppl_1/21.pdf)
[Beer gut.](http://www.dayoopers.com/images/wowgut.jpg)
[Male breasts](http://www.mens-hormonal-health.com/image-files/gynecomastia-pictures-1.jpg)
…that should about cover it 😃
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### Author:  [@Francis\_Vaughan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Francis_Vaughan)
#### Post date: [August 15, 2010, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/besides-beer-are-hops-used-in-anything-else/550273/13 "2010-08-15T14:02:22Z")
It is almost cheating from the OP’s question, but hops can also be used to flavour mead. (I don’t like it, much preferring the spiced or plain mead flavours.) Not a big jump from beer to mead - being some of the earliest alcoholic beverages.
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### Author:  [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)
#### Post date: [August 15, 2010, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/besides-beer-are-hops-used-in-anything-else/550273/14 "2010-08-15T15:32:01Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#):
>
> > [@WhyNot](#):
> >
> > Hops combined with valerian does indeed **aid in sleep** , but I’ve never had much luck with hops alone.\*
>
> I feel tired after drinking 12 beers. Is it because of the hops?
lol. The dose makes the medicine! 😃
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### Author:  [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)
#### Post date: [August 15, 2010, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/besides-beer-are-hops-used-in-anything-else/550273/15 "2010-08-15T20:43:11Z")
[Malta Goya](http://www.delicioussparklingtemperancedrinks.net/MaltaGoya.html) is made of “Water, pure malt, caramel malt, high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, caramel color, phosphoric acid, salt and hops” and has zero alcohol.
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### Author:  [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)
#### Post date: [August 15, 2010, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/besides-beer-are-hops-used-in-anything-else/550273/16 "2010-08-15T20:47:40Z")
> [@constanze](#):
>
> Over here…
Just out of curiosity, where is “here”?
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### Author:  [@Chalcedony](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chalcedony)
#### Post date: [August 15, 2010, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/besides-beer-are-hops-used-in-anything-else/550273/17 "2010-08-15T21:41:39Z")
There’s a cheese here in the UK which is covered in hops - Hereford Hop. [http://www.cheese.com/Description.asp?Name=Hereford%20Hop](http://www.cheese.com/Description.asp?Name=Hereford%20Hop)
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### Author:  [@constanze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/constanze)
#### Post date: [August 15, 2010, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/besides-beer-are-hops-used-in-anything-else/550273/18 "2010-08-15T22:32:51Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#):
>
> > [@constanze](#):
> >
> > Over here…
>
> Just out of curiosity, where is “here”?
Bavaria, Germany, where hop is grown and used mostly for beer, naturally.🙂 And where we have Chair for beer-brewing at the Technical University of Munich, outpost of Weihenstephan, to teach brewer master and further research brewing.
Though the other uses mostly seem to have been researched by the doctors.
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### Author:  [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)
#### Post date: [August 16, 2010, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/besides-beer-are-hops-used-in-anything-else/550273/19 "2010-08-16T00:35:37Z")
> [@constanze](#):
>
> Over here, tea from hops to help with sleeping problems is an old folk remedy that probably dates before the introduction of beer here. It’s still recommended as easy way from the natural doctors (instead of going to the strong sleeping pills). Hops contain a certain ingredient that causes sleepiness and has been identified; it’s also present in beer (so it’s not the alcohol alone that makes you sleepy after beer)
I don’t have a cite, but I read somewhere that the generally higher hops content of German beer contributes to a stronger overall effect even when they contain no more alcohol than American ones.
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### Author:  [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)
#### Post date: [August 16, 2010, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/besides-beer-are-hops-used-in-anything-else/550273/20 "2010-08-16T00:51:27Z")
I have heard that hop shoots are good, when breaded and fried. Never had the chance to taste them, though.
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