Hops Have Sedative Effects
What are hops? According to Healthline, they are the female flowers from the hop plant, Humulus Lupulus. They produce beer’s bitter flavor. They have a history of use in herbal medicine, dating back to at least the Ninth Century in Europe. Hops traditionally were used to treat different ailments such as indigestion and leprosy. Since they are ubiquitous in the beer industry, scientists started investigating Hops and their effects on the human body. Recent studies have suggested that Hops have a sedative effect and can help with anxiety and sleep disorders.
Hop Right Into Sleep
Back in Europe, people began noticing that field workers cultivating Hop plants fell asleep on the job more than usual. According to verywellhealth, in the beginning, they assumed that a sticky resin excreted by the cut plant caused the effect. Recent studies have confirmed that Humulene and Lupuline found in the Hop plant have mild sedative properties. They raise the neurotransmitters gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and serotonin. These work to soothe the central nervous system and regulate the body’s circadian rhythm.
It is important to note that although Hops are found in nearly every type of beer, drinking alcohol does not help you sleep. When you consume alcohol in a low dose, it can have a stimulating effect on the body. After the sedating effects wear off, alcohol disrupts sleep during the second half of the night, causing you to wake up feeling drowsy and un-rested.
HealthCentral discusses a 2012 study published in PLoS One that investigated whether non-alcoholic beer brewed with Hops (Hops tea) would have a sedative effect on a work-stressed population. Researchers found that participants could fall asleep more quickly, sleep quality improved, and anxiety levels dropped after the consumption of Hops tea.
Hops Tea
If you’re looking to get a taste of Hop’s to help you sleep, you can try some Hops tea. Hops Direct offers a hoppy sleep tea that has no caffeine. With a mix of Chamomile, Lemon Grass, and Ginger, it helps with insomnia, digestion, and respiratory discomfort. Click Here to check it out!
You can also find some Hoplark HopTea. It’s a brewed tea-like beer, with the Hops, but without sugars, additives, or fermentation. Click Here to check it out!
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