5 Reasons to Avoid Alcohol Before and After Exercise

Alcohol plays a major role in many of our lives and occasionally even the most abstemious of individuals can often be persuaded to partake in a small libation. In moderation, alcohol can even have certain health benefits but if you’re in training for an athletic event or want to lose weight, cutting out alcohol can improve performance.

Here are 5 reasons to cut back on your alcohol consumption when you’re in training or on a diet.

1. Calorie count: alcohol contains almost as many calories as fat and while you’re taking on board extra calories, you’re getting none of the nutrition. Alcohol is also known to stimulate appetite as anyone who has ever stopped for a kebab or burger on the way home after a night out is likely to testify.
2. Reduced energy levels: when your body is processing alcohol, the liver can’t produce the glucose you need for energy, leading to low levels of blood sugar. This leads to an adverse effect on physical performance with your coordination, dexterity and reactions slower than normal.
3. Excessive dehydration: excessive alcohol can cause dehydration and cramping in your muscles. The substance acts as a diuretic so the more alcohol you consume, the more urine you will pass, dehydrating you further. If you exercise after you’ve had a lot of alcohol, the combination of sweating and the diuretic effect of alcohol will make dehydration more likely.
4. Effects of the hangover: if you have over-indulged in alcohol, you are likely to suffer a hangover the next day. This manifests itself in a lack of proper, restful sleep, which will leave you feeling sluggish. You might also experience headache and nausea, as well as a deep thirst. A hangover can also have a negative effect on your mental and motor skills.
5. Don’t drink after exercise: it can be tempting to head straight to the pub after taking part in events such as a race but consuming alcohol after physical exertion will slow down your body’s recovery. You are also likely to start craving and eating stodgy foods that will cancel out the health benefits of any exercise.