Raise a glass! How beer boosts memory

BITTER hops in beer could boost memory. Previous studies suggested moderate alcohol consumption benefits cognitive function, but the question was: ‘How?’

Now research reported in the Faseb Journal shows that iso-a-acids, or IAAs, found in hops (which give beer its bitterness) increase levels of the brain chemical dopamine in mice, activating the vagus nerve, important in memory.

The researchers at Kobe University School of Medicine, Japan, noted an improvement in spatial and object recognition memory when the mice were administered IAAs.

They said this suggested foodstuffs containing IAAs may be a safe way to improve cognitive function.