Do hop supplements with phytoestrogens affect breast tissue?
Disposition of hop prenylflavonoids in human breast tissue.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Researchers gave women hop supplements containing xanthohumol, isoxanthohumol, and 8-prenylnaringenin for 5 days before breast surgery. They then measured how much of these compounds reached breast tissue and whether they could cause estrogen-like effects.
Surprising Findings
Hop compounds DO accumulate in breast tissue but produce virtually no estrogenic effect
Previous concerns assumed any phytoestrogen accumulating in breast tissue would be potentially dangerous. This study shows accumulation alone doesn't mean biological activity.
Practical Takeaways
If you're taking hop supplements for menopause symptoms, know that the compounds do reach breast tissue but are unlikely to stimulate estrogenic responses at standard doses
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Researchers gave women hop supplements containing xanthohumol, isoxanthohumol, and 8-prenylnaringenin for 5 days before breast surgery. They then measured how much of these compounds reached breast tissue and whether they could cause estrogen-like effects.
Surprising Findings
Hop compounds DO accumulate in breast tissue but produce virtually no estrogenic effect
Previous concerns assumed any phytoestrogen accumulating in breast tissue would be potentially dangerous. This study shows accumulation alone doesn't mean biological activity.
Practical Takeaways
If you're taking hop supplements for menopause symptoms, know that the compounds do reach breast tissue but are unlikely to stimulate estrogenic responses at standard doses
Publication
Journal
Molecular nutrition & food research
Year
2010
Authors
S. Bolca, Jinghu Li, D. Nikolić, N. Roche, P. Blondeel, S. Possemiers, D. de Keukeleire, M. Bracke, A. Heyerick, R. V. van Breemen, H. Depypere
Related Content
Claims (2)
When women took hop supplements every day for 5 days, the natural compounds in the hops were found in their breast tissue at measurable amounts, showing that these compounds can be absorbed by the body and stored in breast tissue.
A compound found in hops called 8-prenylnaringenin can act like the hormone estrogen in the body. It might attach to estrogen receptors and could potentially cause fat to build up around the belly area.