Remnants from the beer brewing process feature components that could protect against dental diseases, according to a new study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry and reported online recently by The DrBicuspid Staff.
Hops, which give beer its acrid flavor and aroma (did someone say bitter beer face?), contain healthful antioxidants that could be used to battle caries and periodontal disease, say the researchers from Japan.
Earlier research found that antioxidant polyphenols in hop leaves (called bracts) could help fight caries and periodontal disease. And bracts found among the 30,000 tons of hops farmers harvest in the U.S. annually, are not used for making beer, rather are discarded instead.
Sounds like a potential gold mine of health benefits await a repurposing plan.
Does home brewing count?
Read more about the study findings at Dr. Bicuspid.
