Beer lovers, rejoice!  Summer is finally here. Here’s some more good news, knocking back a few cold ones this weekend might help save your life.

According to a new study published by Medical Daily earlier this year, an antioxidant found in hops can help stave off dementia and lower your stress. What’s more, researchers discovered that those same hops might lower your risk of contracting cancer or heart disease. I’ll drink to that.

The health benefits of hops don’t end there. Thanks to a protein called Phytoestrogen, beer drinkers, particularly those of hop heavy IPA’s, are less likely to suffer from insomnia or the symptoms of menopause.

However, there is one drawback to Phytoestrogen. The same protein that helps prevent insomnia can also lead to a hormonal imbalance in men, which may result in Gynecomastia, the swelling of breast tissue for males. Some herbalists even believe that overexposure to hops could result in erectile dysfunction.

So, next time you crack open a cold brew, keep in mind, you literally are drinking to your health.

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