Fitness and Muscle

If you’re interested in weight loss or building muscle then it’s probably a good idea to cut down on your alcohol intake, or ideally to cut it out all together. In my own experience alcohol and exercise just don’t mix. Here’s a few reasons why:

1. Prohibits Fat Burning

Alcohol produces waste products in the body called acetate and acetaldehyde. As your body processes these waste products it stops burning fat and even begins to create new fat, giving you double trouble if trying to lose weight.

2. Calorie Content

There’s around 180 calories in a pint of beer and 160 calories in a large glass of red wine. These calories have little or no nutritional benefit, known as empty calories. If you’re having a few drinks regularly then the calories start to add up.

3. False Hunger

After a few drinks alcohol will leave you feeling hungry, even if your body isn’t, so you’ll tend to eat more than you usually would. In my experience it’s unlikely that you’ll go for the healthy option after drinking alcohol. Anyone for pizza?

4. Next Day Blues

Alcohol lowers levels of serotonin, the ‘feel good’ hormone. After drinking you’ll feel depressed the next day and use food as a way to lift your mood. Alcohol also burns sugar in the body so you’ll be craving sugary and fatty foods.

5. Night Drinking

Most of us consume alcohol in the evening or at night. This is when your body has the least need for extra calories, and your metabolism is at its slowest, so you’ll store fat instead of burning calories.

6. Metabolic Clock

Alcohol leaves you feeling tired and could wreak havoc on your metabolism. You may find yourself sleeping at times that your body isn’t used to causing your metabolism to suffer as well as your waistline.

7. Less Muscle, More Fat

Drinking alcohol prohibits the building of muscle. In order to build muscle you need to be well hydrated and alcohol dehydrates the body. It also raises the level of cortisol, a muscle wasting hormone. As muscle burns fat, the less muscle you have, the less fat is burned.