Beer is good for the female sex drive

Dim the lights, put on some Marvin Gaye, and chug a cold one – it’s time to get in the mood.

We’ve reported in the past that the best alcohol for sex is red wine, but we’ve now discovered there might be a different boozy beverage that’s ideal for arousal: beer. Specifically, beer with hops.

You see, hops contain plant estrogen called phytoestrogen. While estrogen is found in both men and women, women have more of it, which is why it’s often categorized as a “female hormone.” According to Renegade Health, hundreds of years ago, women who worked in the hops field menstruated earlier than everyone else, the idea being that their estrogen levels were amped. And with said estrogen increase possibly comes another benefit: a higher sex drive.

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So what’s the catch?

Well, hops don’t have the same theoretical benefits for men as they do for women. In fact, inability to sustain an erection after drinking beer is nicknamed “brewer’s droop.” In a report with Fox, herbalist and author Stephen Harrod Buhner also claims that the estrogen in hops contributes to men developing breasts (aka moobs). Still, we know there are some great benefits in general for men when it comes to beer – including but not limited to muscle repair after a workout, decreased risk of heart disease, and boosted creativity.

While the hardcore evidence backing up these claims is still being developed (we’d love to participate in any studies), if you’re a lady and want to get in the mood, try sipping a super hoppy IPA and test the results for yourself. Men, you can still enjoy your hop-packed brews, but if you want to play it safe when it comes to the language of love, reach for a wheat beer instead, as they’re often flavored with coriander instead of estrogen packed hops.