Is Consuming Alcohol Post-Workout Dumb Or Scientifically Smart?

While a guilt-free hangover can be a good enough reason for you to hit the bar before you hit the gym, research suggests it can be one the worst thing you can do to your body.?

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Alcohol interrupts the process of slowing down the process of recovery of your muscles to strengthen and grow, particularly in men.?

“Our research shows men are more affected by alcohol than women,” states co-author Jakob Vingren at the University of North Texas to Daily Mail Online.

“If you're doing heavy resistance training, if you're going to go out drinking that night, don't go to the gym right before,” co-author Jakob Vingren at the University of North Texas warns.

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“It's possible the next day you're going to be worse off than if you hadn't gone to the gym,” adds Vingren.?

Alcohol is particularly damaging to your testosterone; the fuel that is responsible for muscle growth and repair, especially in men.?

Men experience a rush of testosterone, much more than in women, after a workout, which is a major contributor to the process of muscle-growth.

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“We know alcohol affects testosterone, and it is a gender difference, so testosterone appear to be an obvious thing to look at,” states Vingren. Alcohol either affects the total amount of testosterone or the receptors stimulated by testosterone.??

But wait there is hope.?

Drinking small amounts of alcohol, however post-workout, up to two drinks for men and one for women, can significantly harm your performance when compared to staying alcohol-free.?

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A previous study published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology claims that sticking to smaller amounts will not significantly hamper your performance post-exercise.?

In fact, brands like Lean Machine Brands, Inc intention to release a low-calorie, protein packed “muscle beer” for post-workout consumptions was based on this fact.?

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Bottom line is that alcohol can leave you dehydrated and hinder the process of muscle recovery, which is why Lean Machine claims only .5% of alcohol in their brewed beer). But a small amount of it and a ton of water after a vigorous workout session might be the ideal reward.