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There could be at least some benefit to drinking beer.
Oregon State University researchers found that xanthohumol, a natural flavor in hops and beer may slow weight gain and high cholesterol.
Researchers performed experiments on mice to come to the conclusion.
The Oregonian reported that 48 male mice were given a high-fat diet and xanthohumol.
They were randomly split in the different groups, including a control group that did not receive xanthohumol.
The other two groups were given 30 or 60 milligrams each day for 12 weeks.
The experiment found that all mice gained weight and ate the same amount of rich food, but mice who were given the compound had 22 percent less weight gain than mice not given the compound.
Other findings in the study showed mice with the highest dose of xanthohumol decreased insulin levels by 42 percent and lowering bad cholesterol by 80 percent.
"This is the first time we've seen one compound with the potential to address so many health problems," Cristobal Miranda, a research assistant professor with OSU's Linus Pauling Institute and lead author on the study said in a news release. "These were very dramatic improvements."
Researchers said more studies are needed to determine if a similar effect would take place in humans.
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