Guys, do you love your weekend beer? Well, then there is some bad news for you.
A new study now says that the hops used in your favourite pint could be giving you man boobs.
This is because, they contain a high amount of phytoestrogen, a plant derived chemical that is similar to the female sex hormone, oestrogen.
Several studies have shown that the tasty hops can have oestrogenic effects on the man’s body, which basically means it boosts the levels of female sex hormones in the body. The plants are commonly used as a herbal remedy for menopause for the same reason.
Some of the medicinal properties of hops include reducing hot flushes, night sweats mood swings, vaginal dryness and other symptoms that come with the change, like a herbal hormone replacement therapy.
However, in men, increased levels of oestrogen in the body can result in man boobs - or as it's known in beer circles, brewers droop.
Man boobs, or "moobs", are usually caused by a medical condition called gynecomastia and can be caused by a hormone imbalance or a build up of fatty tissue around the breast area.
The most common hormone imbalance that causes moobs is, you guess it, too much oestrogen.
Hops, on the other hand are commonly used in different herbal remedies including insomnia, menopause and a natural diuretic to help the improve flow of pee.
There is even some suggestion that they could help stimulate the flow of breast milk and treat a prolonged, painful erection.
However, according to a story published in The Sun, Buster Grant, head brewer and managing director of Brecon Brewery and chairman Society of Independent Brewers said that one is more likely to get moobs from a lack of exercise.
He told The Sun Online that it is dependent on the hop variety, some have more than others.
While man boobs seems a small price to pay for a couple of pints, there are longer term effects that may have you reaching for another drink.
High levels of oestrogen in men can lead to a reduced sex drive and impotence as it starts to outweigh testosterone, the male sex hormone.
Testosterone is responsible for a man's libido, muscle mass, sperm production and keeps the tissue in the penis in working order.
Men with low testosterone levels often experience erectile dysfunction, which can also lead to a range of other illnesses including depression and anxiety.
