One of Munchies’ latest articles claims that IPAs are giving men boobs. According to the article which mentions the book “Sacred and Herbal Healing Beers” by Stephen Herrod Buhner, the high phytoestrogen content in hops can have undesirable effects on men.

Effects such as erectile dysfunction and the appearance of boobs. According to Buhner the three standard uses of hops in herbal medicine are as a sleep inducer, as a diuretic and as a source of phytoestrogen to treat menopause. Buhner claims not to drink beer made with hops. He makes his own beer with wild weeds. It’s indeed not unheard of to make beers without hops. Hops are used as a preservative and flavor agent for beers. In the middle ages people used many different herbs and spices next to hops. Economics and politics led to the contemporary use of hops, but you could make great beer without hops as well.

Yet, this is besides the point. Does beer actually give you man boobs? Hops do contain phytoestrogen which is a form of estrogen, a female hormone and intake of a female hormone will lead to feminine qualities.

Although there are a number of websites jumping on the bandwagon, an equal number debunk the myth. Scientists have been asked to join the conversation and the conclusion is that beer won’t give you man boobs or depressed sex organs. It’s true that hops do contain estrogen but the quantity used in beers is far too low to change the way your body works.

Too much alcohol will render any man temporary impotent, whether it’s from beer or something else. If you’re suffering from man boobs it might have more to do with the high calorie intake that comes from beer rather than the female hormones present.

Don’t worry beer lovers, you won’t end up with a high voice and a pair of boobs from drinking beer. Yet enjoying it in moderation is advised. Click on the links below if you want to read more in detail about it.

Cheers!

Related articles:

Business Insider

Medical Daily

Beer and Wine Journal