Buzz
Some of us enjoy a six-pack, of beer, that is. Others prefer to play the role of the ‘buzzkill,’ claiming that having a beer after a workout will ruin your recovery and ultimately sabotage your gains. While they’re partially right, most of these worries are exaggerated.
It’s well understood that muscle growth and repair occur after the workout. Research, such as the one published in PLoS One, suggests that excessive drinking can hinder this process by lowering testosterone, a key factor in muscle development. However, this might only be a concern if you're regularly drinking three to seven beers daily. If you prefer the occasional beer post-workout, you’re unlikely to notice any ill effects. According to experts from Examine.com, a respected nutrition and supplement research group, in an article for Men’s Health:
At this point, the data shows that if beer has any effect—either positive or negative—it’s likely so minimal that you can enjoy your favorite brew without feeling guilty after a workout. Unless you’re soaking your clothes in it or making binge drinking a habit, one beer isn’t going to significantly impact your results.
Naturally, this aligns with the classic advice: ‘everything in moderation.’ This includes beer. A single beer after the gym or an occasional night of partying won’t undo your efforts, but regularly consuming large amounts (like seven beers for someone weighing 150 pounds) may pose a different issue altogether.
Image courtesy of Andy.
