Hops and Health

In Germany, hop was recently recognized as the “Medicinal Plant of the Year.” This is reason enough to take a closer look at this ancient, cultured plant, which is predominantly known for its role in beer brewing. This paper discusses the history of hop as a medicinal plant and provides a review of recent research on its health benefits. The hop plant is a valuable and untapped resource for interesting developments in nutraceuticals, dietary supplements, and other health-promoting products. Moreover, raw hop materials are a key to a better understanding of the possible health-related benefits of moderate beer consumption.