So, I was at my hair salon a while back and was asked about the effects of alcohol consumption on exercise performance. Apparently, a fitness model said that post-exercise alcohol consumption has no deleterious effects on the body. goodness, now fitness models are claiming knowledge about exercise science?! Yikes!
Well, he/she is wrong. Alcohol is damaging to the body post-exercise. Let us count the ways:
Alcohol decreases fat metabolism. It also contains 7 calories per gram, almost twice that of carbs or protein, and has negligible nutritional value. Furthermore, it interferes with the body's absorption, storage, and use of nutrients. Alcohol interferes with protein metabolism as well.
Alcohol reduces testosterone levels and interferes with protein metabolism. It prevents the liver from producing glucose, greatly impairing muscle recovery. And alcohol consumed after resistance training elevates cortisol ( the "stress" hormone) for a longer period than exercise alone. This increases catabolism ( muscle breakdown.) Strength and muscle growth are adversely affected.
Alcohol can impair reaction time for up to several days after consumption. It increases cardiovascular strain, resulting in reduced endurance. Not to mention all the things you already know: increased cholesterol and liver damage.
I'm not telling you to give up your favorite adult beverage- just be aware that you are seriously compromising all that hard work in the gym when you down a few after your workout. Of course, red wine, especially Pinot, is always your best choice. One more piece of advice- don't get your fitness science from fitness models.
The Lost Weekend (1945)- starring Ray Milland Don Birnam: " it shrinks my liver, don't it? Nat? It pickles my kidneys, yeah..."
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