bitter hops extract

Bitter hops extract is an investigational botanical extract derived from a New Zealand commercial variety of hop flowers (*Humulus lupulus* L.) using a food-grade supercritical carbon dioxide extraction process. It is marketed as a gut-targeted dietary supplement under the brand name Amarasate (and formulated in the commercial product Calocurb) for appetite suppression and weight management. The extract contains concentrated bitter hop acids, including alpha-acids (such as humulone) and beta-acids (such as lupulone), which act as ligands for human bitter taste receptors (TAS2Rs) located on enteroendocrine cells in the gastrointestinal tract. Activation of these receptors triggers the 'bitter brake' satiety mechanism, stimulating the release of appetite-regulating gut hormones, including cholecystokinin (CCK), glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), and peptide YY (PYY), which signal fullness to the brain and reduce energy intake.

Brand names

AmarasateCalocurb

Other names

Humulus lupulus extractbitter hops extractsupercritical CO2 extract of hop flowers