If you are trying to improve your health, avoiding alcohol is simply a smart move. Doing so allows your body to reap all the benefits of your workouts. When you cut out the alcohol, your workout will be more enjoyable, and your performance will be improved.
Here are some of the effects of alcohol on your workout :
1. Dehydration
If your skin looks rough and dry after partying the previous night, then the alcohol is dealing with you already. Alcohol is a diuretic that dehydrates the body. It is estimated that 90% of hangover symptoms are directly related to dehydration. As we know, water plays a vital role in keeping our bodies in healthy condition, but it also regulates our body's temperature, which can make exercise difficult if we're dehydrated.
You will experience increased heart rate and body temperature if there is alcohol in your system, which makes exercise uncomfortable. In addition, you will sweat more than you typically do, which further dehydrates your body. While drinking alcohol, consider alternating with a glass of water. This will relieve dehydration but not prevent it.
2. Muscle fatigue
Alcohol causes cramps and lactic acid to build up. So when hungover, you are more likely to experience painful workouts. Muscle fatigue and a lack of growth hormones, which are essential for building and repairing muscle, are also inevitable. Continually drinking alcohol will make the recovery time post-workout long, making building muscle more difficult.
3. Performance
Moderate alcohol consumption may negatively impact how you exercise the following day. And to add to that, it may hinder your performance - so working out will be more difficult, and you will feel less satisfied afterwards. A study showed that aerobic performance can be reduced by 11.4% if you have a hangover.
4. Sugar spikes
The sugar content in alcohol is often high, and when a food product has such a high glycaemic load, it quickly turns into glucose once it has digested. The body experiences inflammation due to the sudden spike, which can cause bloating, swelling, and fatigue when it drops again. None of these things is conducive to an easy workout. Those who plan to work out in the days following drinking should avoid cocktails, wines and drinks containing syrups because they are rich in sugar and will interfere with your workout.
5. A reduced metabolism
Alcohol consumption causes stress to the digestive system, whereby the stomach and intestines become less effective. The body's ability to absorb essential nutrients reduces when digestive secretions are weak, thereby slowing its metabolism. It is recommended to opt for foods high in nutrients before drinking alcohol to support digestion. Such foods will also limit the effect of alcohol on metabolism.
