Effect of alcohol on fitness classes
It so happened that no one holiday, be itbirthday, wedding, New Year, etc., we can not do without alcoholic beverages. Refusing a glass "for the happiness of the young" or "for the health of the birthday boy," we risk becoming the object of perplexed views and various questions, which is not very pleasant. But the question is: "Can I drink if we are engaged in fitness?" With this and try to understand today.
Alcohol is an organic substance (the science of chemistrycalls it ethanol), which does not contain proteins, carbohydrates and fats and has an energy value of 7 Kcal / g. By its properties, alcohol is more like carbohydrates, but, unlike them, can not be converted to glycogen and stored in muscles for later use. Alcohol is toxic to our body, its digestibility is 10 g / h. That is, if you drank, for example, 200 gr. vodka, then the body will need 8 hours to get rid of alcohol. This time is enough for various irreversible changes in the body.
Alcohol affects on all processes in the human body, includingon the production of growth hormone, which is responsible for the growth and development of cells of bone and muscle tissue. As a result, you do not get the feedback you need after intensive training. Growth hormone, in general, is produced in the initial phase of sleep. Since alcohol has a negative effect on the rhythm of sleep, the production of growth hormone can be reduced by 70%. Testosterone is a hormone responsible for the growth of muscle mass. In the male body, initially it is more than in the female, so men are more muscular, and it is easier for them to build muscle mass.
Alcohol reduces testosterone concentration in the body, resulting indegradation of muscle tissue. In connection with the use of alcohol, the gastrointestinal tract absorbs much less nutrients. In the blood there is a deficiency of amino acids, which are so necessary for the muscles. In addition to lack of protein, glycogen stores are also declining. It's bad for your stamina, strength and speed.
Alcohol is a toxin, so the body spends effort on the withdrawal of toxinsfrom the body, and not to recovery after physical training. As a result, this affects not only the growth of muscle mass, but also your activity in the gym in the following days. If alcohol has got into your body after a workout, you can assume that it was wasted, as the muscles in the volume will not increase.
If you are going to practice the next day after drinking alcohol, then your work will be ineffective, because the body will feel weak. Although, doing power exercises, you can not feel the influence of alcohol on your body, then, when you start aerobic exercises that put stress on the cardiovascular system, it is better to think twice before you allow yourself to excess one day. Alcohol gives additional stress to the heart and blood vessels, so blood pressure, heart rate, dizziness and nausea may appear.
Also, alcohol - one of the causes of dehydration of the body. Lack of water causes weakness, increaseda feeling of hunger, reduces the normal vital activity of muscle cells. To avoid dehydration, try to drink well with liquids (water, juice). Before going to bed, be sure to drink at least a liter of water and eat something high in protein (cottage cheese, chicken).
