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Alcohol and sports are not compatible
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
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It is no secret that alcoholic drinks are frequent and sometimes long-awaited guests on our tables: be it New Year, Birthday, or March 8. But not everyone can refuse an offer to drink: it is even indecent, perhaps, not to drink to the happiness of the newlyweds, and people will think the wrong thing, look at you the wrong way. But the question is different: "Can you drink alcohol if you play sports?" Let's try to figure it out.
It is also known from biology that alcohol affects almost all processes in the human body, including reducing the concentration of testosterone in the body. Hence the degradation of muscle tissue. At the same time, the gastrointestinal tract is able to absorb fewer nutrients, there is a deficiency of amino acids in the blood, but they are so necessary for muscles! The amount of proteins decreases, the amount of glycogen decreases. And now the practical significance: all this affects your endurance, strength and speed.
When planning a workout the day after drinking alcohol, keep in mind that your work will be ineffective because your body will feel weak. This will be especially noticeable during aerobic exercise, which puts stress on the cardiovascular system. Blood vessels, heart... Possible symptoms may include dizziness, nausea, increased heart rate, and increased blood pressure. But during strength training, you may not feel anything. But it is better to think several times than to regret it a hundred times later. And not to allow yourself too much.
Alcohol causes dehydration. To avoid it, try to wash down alcohol with liquid (for example, water or juice). Otherwise - weakness, increased hunger, in addition to a decrease in the normal functioning of muscle cells.
Alcohol reduces the production of growth hormone by up to 70 percent. Produced in the initial phase of sleep, it is suppressed by alcohol, which has a negative effect on sleep rhythms. As a result, you will not get the return you need after intense training.
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