Supplementation With Matured Hop Bitter Acids May Help Improve Attention and Mood

Matured hop bitter acids (MHBA) are the major bitter components in beer and give beer it’s flavor and bitterness. A new study has found that supplementation with MHBA may help improve cognitive function, attention, and mood in mature adults.

Participants in the study included 100 adults with an average age of 62.5 who had perceived subjective cognitive decline. They were given 35 mg of MHBA or a placebo daily for 12 weeks. Neuropsychological tests were administered at baseline and at the end of the study period to assess attention and memory. Saliva samples were taken at baseline and at the end of the study period to measure stress levels. Anxiety was evaluated using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Metamemory in Adulthood Questionnaire was used to evaluated subjective cognitive function.

At the end of the study period, participants in the supplement group scored significantly higher on tests that measured attention compared to those in the placebo group. Cortisol levels in saliva were significantly reduced in the supplement group, indicating lower stress levels. No change was seen in the placebo group. Participants in the supplement group also saw significant improvements in their scores on the Metamemory in Adulthood Questionnaire compared to those in the placebo group.

The study was conducted by researchers from the Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine. It was published online ahead of print on May 26, 2020 in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.