The next time you’re having trouble sleeping instead of a glass of milk, try reaching for a can of beer. According to an article published in the Journal of Sleep Disorders & Therapy, beer that has been brewed with hops (Humulus lupulus L.) has a sedative effect on our nervous system and have been successfully tested in clinical trials to treat insomnia and other non-organic sleep disorders.
The science behind Humulus lupulus L.’s sedative properties lies in its bitter acids, particularly in oxidative degradation products which results in α-acid content: 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol. This has been shown to have an impact on our inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA(A) and serotonin (5- HT), a further neurotransmitter involved in nocturnal sleep regulation.