HOW BEER COULD HELP WITH WEIGHT LOSS

This was the title of an article that I saw yesterday posted by Fox News. Fox News was once a news outlet known as the home of a politically conservative viewpoint. This was long before that network became the personal publicist for the Trump campaign.  As an actual conservative, I have found that network to become a sad excuse for news. The biggest disappointment has been Sean Hannity who daily sucks up to Trump  with more vigor than a supercharged Dyson Vacuum.  Uh... I think I may have gotten off topic... Back to the Beer....

One thing most of us learn early in life is that writers of newspaper articles are NOT the authors of the headlines. Headlines are meant to attract readers - not necessarily to impart important information regarding the content of the copy. Here's an example: HOW BEER COULD HELP WITH WEIGHT LOSS

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I have copied the complete story below which was written by Brittany Anas and originally published in Men's Journal.

When it comes to health benefits and alcohol, antioxidant-rich red wine is usually the drink drawing all the praise. But beer — carbs and calories notwithstanding — also has its upsides, with studies showing the beverage can help prevent kidney stones, strengthen bones, and aid your digestive system.

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Now, scientists have discovered another health advantage in your brew: A compound called xanthohumol, a flavonoid naturally found in hops, can be a boon for weight loss and may help scientists create a novel approach to addressing obesity. Tests have also shown xanthohumol can lower cholesterol and blood-sugar levels. 

No, drinking beer won’t help you lose weight. A pint of IPA (India Pal Ale) contains only 0.0757 mg of xanthohumol, says Cristobal Miranda, a research assistant professor with Oregon State University’s Linus Pauling Institute and lead author of the study, published in a special issue of Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics.  

To derive any benefits of xanthohumol from beer, you’d have to do the impossible and guzzle 3,500 pints per day. But, researchers say, in the future, a concentrated amount of xanthohumol could be packed into a supplement and taken once a day. The supplement could be a low-cost and effective treatment for metabolic syndrome, the set of factors that increase your risk for heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and other health problems. About one in three Americans have metabolic syndrome, estimates the American Heart Association, so this could be a welcome innovation. 

Studies on the health benefits of xanthohumol so far have been carried out in laboratory animals and in cell culture, Miranda says. The results have shown the compound holds promise, potentially reducing risk of cardiovascular disease and type-2 diabetes. Before we know its safety and real efficacy for fighting obesity and more, though, studies will have to be conducted on humans. 

For the study, lab mice were fed a high-fat diet and given varying levels of xanthohumol. The rats given the highest dosage of xanthohumol cut their LDL or “bad cholesterol” by 80 percent and their insulin levels by 42 percent. Their levels of IL-6, a biomarker of inflammation, was reduced by 78 percent. The lab animals were all fed the same rich diet and given the same amounts of food, leading them to gain weight.

But weight gain was 22 percent less in the mice receiving xanthohumol in their diets. 

Researchers have long been interested in the health benefits of flavonoids, exploring the compounds found in tea, garlic, chocolate, apples, blueberries, and other foods. Miranda says xanthohumol found in hops is unique because of its potential to address so many health problems, and to do so dramatically. 

Xanthohumol is only found in the hop plant, and is not naturally present in any other plant, Miranda says. Any product like beer, hop tea, or a beverage or dietary supplement in which hops, or hop extracts, are used may contain xanthohumol, he says.  

For now, we'll hang tight until we can apply for a human beer-drinking trial.

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Here is the bottom line on this report... There is apparently a trace compound in beer that can assist with controlling metabolism - but actually drinking beer will NOT help anyone lose weight.  Now or ever. My recommendation would be to drink as little beer as possible if one is trying to control one's weight.

This is my calm before the storm.  Today is Thursday. Tomorrow morning, at 6:00AM Central Time I will be under the care of my surgeon who will be repairing my hernia.  Since I will have plenty of time to sit home doing nothing for a week or so, it is my intention that blog post of Friday will be posted when I return from this surgical adventure. See you tomorrow.

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Your Food Diary For:

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

BREAKFAST	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
Second Nature - Wholesome Medley Trail Mix	840	84	54	24	210	54
	840	84	54	24	210	54
L U N C H
Wasa - Sourdough Crispbread, 10 slice (11g)	350	90	0	10	450	0
EARTHBOUND FARM - ORGANIC SPINACH	40	0	0	4	130	0
Campbell's Chunky Manhattan Clam Chowder, 2 cup	240	36	6	10	1,600	6
	630	126	6	24	2,180	6
D I N N E R
MARIANO'S SIMPLY ROUNDY'S - PIZZA	450	50	18	20	750	4
Minestrone - Homemade, 2 cup	394	67	5	23	680	7
	844	117	23	43	1,430	11
S N A C K S
Baked Shrimp Chips	520	76	24	8	920	4
	520	76	24	8	920	4
Totals	2,834	403	107	99	4,740	75
Your Daily Goal	2,197	274	73	110	2,300	82
Remaining	-637	-129	-33	10	-2,440	7
	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
	*You've earned 267 extra calories from exercise today

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