USA: Beer drinkers may have a reason to raise their glasses due to healthy hops

OSU Scientist, Fred Stevens has been studying the compounds found in hops for the last ten years. He says the small yellow powder is generating a lot of interest across the globe,

OSU Scientist Fred Stevens said: "Now people are duplicating our results and building it further so theres now a lot of literature appearing on this particular compound." The value may be huge for preventing prostate, breast or colon cancers.

OSU Scientist Emily Ho says, "Xanthahumol is able to stop the cell growth. Basically with the Xanthahumol we can see the slows the cell growth of cancer cells compared to the untreated cells. So that's a good thing for cancer.You want to slow growth."

This doesn't mean you should go out and hit your local pub or pick up a six pack. Scientists don't go as far to say drinking beer will prevent cancer, they still don't know how well the body absorbs Xanthahumol. But you should know not all beer is equal.

The domestic brews have low levels of the compound while porter, stout and ale brews contain higher levels. The compound also appears to be a powerful antioxidant, even more so than vitamin E. It also looks like it reduces bad cholesterol. Xanthohumol is already marketed as a food supplement in Germany.