It turns out that the trend of hoppy beers and IPAs is not only delicious, but also good for your health. According to a recent study published in the Oxford University Press, drinking beers with higher levels of hops can mitigate the negative effects of alcohol on the liver. Cheers to that!
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A group of German researchers tested this theory by feeding a group of mice (oddly referred to as a “binge-drinking mouse model” in the study) regular beer, hoppy beer, straight ethanol, and a control solution. The scientists then measured the effects on the liver, intestines and plasma after two hours and after 12 hours.
The results were pretty astounding. Scientists noted that alcohol-induced hepatic fat accumulation (the fat accumulation that leads to fatty liver disease, or hepatic steatosis) was significantly less in the mice that consumed hoppy beer than in those that consumed regular beer or straight ethanol.
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So not only did Germany bestow the gift that is Oktoberfest upon us all, we also now have its scientists to thank for a study that gives us permission to fully enjoy the festival in all its hops-filled splendor. And for that we say, "danke schön."
This study comes out just in the nick of time for optimal Oktoberfest enjoyment. So in order to help you celebrate properly — and more healthfully — we’ve put together a list of the best hoppy beers out there.
Our 5 Favorite Hoppy Beers to Cheers With:
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Too many delicious craft beers to choose from. (Image: Eddie Hernandez Photography/iStock/Getty Images)What Do YOU Think?
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Do you drink IPAs? Do you enjoy bitter beer? Would you consider finding a new favorite if it helped your health? Are you able to think of a beer as being healthy, or should it still be considered a treat?
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