Hops Negative Effects

Hops Properties – Can Hops be Harmful? Possible Negative Effects

Reading Time: around 4 min

You might think of hops as the zesty kick in your favorite beer, giving it that touch of bitterness and a pinch of herbal flare. But hold on to your pint glass, because these little green cones are more than just beer’s best buddy. 

While they’re famous for turning water into a brewer’s dream, hops have also hopped into the world of health benefits. Flaunting their sedative properties like a peacock shows off its feathers.

Sure, hops are the life of the party in the brewing world.

And have amazing health benefits in a lot of cases.

But they might not be all high fives and cheers when it comes to your health. You’ve heard about their supposed superpowers, like calming your nerves or tackling insomnia like a champ. 

But what about when the hoppy train derails?

Before you decide to embrace these green buds in your wellness routine, let’s chat about the darker side of hops. Because, spoiler alert: sometimes things get a bit dizzy and drowsy in hop land.

Usually, hops are chill little characters, but when they go rogue, they might have you spinning faster than a vinyl on a Friday night. Can hops be harmful? Just like binging your favorite comedy show…

…there’s a “too much of a good thing” line you don’t want to cross. 

Because no one enjoys the not-so-fun house party. Featuring uninvited guests like dizziness and sleepiness. So, as you contemplate brewing up a health potion with these bitter beauties, remember. 

Sometimes they pack a punch you weren’t quite ready for.

Key Takeaways

  • Hops add flavor and sedative properties to your drink, but don’t be fooled; they’re not all fun and games.
  • Those green cones can turn on you, leading to some not-so-pleasant side effects like dizziness and sleepiness.
  • Keep an eye out for hops’ mischievous side, especially if your body isn’t a fan of herbal curveballs.

 

When Good Hops Go Bad: The Flip Side

Hops are like that one friend who’s a blast at parties but a bit of a mess the next morning.

Let’s see what happens when they’re not the life of the brew.

The Potential Pitfalls: Side Effects and Interactions

You might think of hops as the chill cousin of the plant world, adding that relaxed vibe to your beer. But, listen up, they can also play party pooper in the health department. Mixing hops with sedative medications is like throwing a snoring contest in your brain.

Highly inadvisable.

The sedative effect of hops might crank up your meds. Leaving you more drowsy than a sloth on a lazy Sunday. And if you’re popping melatonin to catch some Zs, adding hops to the mix might turn sleepiness into snooze-overdrive.

  • Healthcare professional go-to. Before you self-prescribe hops for insomnia, check with your healthcare provider.
  • Dizziness and confusion. Hops can occasionally send you into a dazed state, and not in a good way.

 

And doses? Let’s talk turkey. 

Overdo it, and you might find yourself in a not-so-funny spinning room situation.

A Botanical Balancing Act: Contraindications

Hops have a sneaky side, especially when paired with certain conditions. If you’re preggers or planning to breastfeed, hops might not be your bestie. Think of them like that friend who’s a terrible influence. They mean well, but… nope.

Hops can mess with hormone estrogen.

Which is kind of a big deal if you’re expecting.

  • Pregnancy and breastfeeding alert. Hops can be like giving a baby espresso, a big no-no.
  • Estrogen and breast cancer. If you and estrogen have a complicated relationship, like you’re at risk for breast cancer, you might want to swipe left on hops.

 

Talking to a healthcare professional before adding hops to your routine is like checking the weather before a skydive. You don’t want surprises!

And allergies, let’s not forget. Yup, you can be allergic to hops.

And they might just throw a wrench in your system. They’re the botanical equivalent of that friend you should’ve warned about your cat before they came over.

So, keep it light, keep it right, and maybe keep the hops in your beer, not in your medicine cabinet, unadvised. Also, hops are poisonous for dogs so watch out! 

Cheers to staying perky without the quirky side effects.

Picture of Damian

Damian

A lifelong learner, hop enthusiast and a lover of the state of extreme exhaustion.

Finance Analyst in the Investment Bank and co-founder of hopsmatcher.com