Protein found in hops used to make beer could help prevent prostate cancer

A MAJOR ingredient in beer may help prevent prostate cancer and enlargement, according to a new study.

But researchers warn that you shouldn’t rush out to stock the refrigerator because the ingredient is present in such small amounts that a person would have to drink more than 17 glasses to benefit.

Oregon State University (OSU) researchers say the compound xanthohumol, found in hops, inhibits a specific protein in the cells along the surface of the prostate gland. The protein acts like a signal switch that turns on a variety of animal and human cancers, including prostate cancer.