If you're the type of person who enjoys working out then having a couple of drinks to relax when you're done, you might want to read this article carefully, because you're about to learn why you may not be getting the gains you want.
Did you know that one of the major fat accumulators is alcohol? Consumed regularly, alcohol kills the good bacteria in our guts that is used to break down foods. When you drink, your digestion pretty much comes to a halt. This causes constant pressure in your stomach, bloating, dizziness, and a full feeling, even if the meals you eat are small. The foods that we ate in previous meals are still there, stuck in your stomach, not moving, not broken down.
Acid Reflux
If someone continues to drink a decent amount of alcohol, it may cause acid reflux. If it gets bad enough, doctors will prescribe patients with acid reducer - or even worse - a proton pump inhibitor such as Prilosec. This reduces the essential acids, which help break down foods. When food isn’t moving, we can’t rid the body of the waste and toxins.
Staying Healthy & Minimizing Injury Time
Alcohol impairs the body’s ability to repair injuries. Normally, the body automatically releases white blood cells to an injury site to help you heal. But with "drinkers," research shows that the body’s natural, involuntary ability to tell white blood cells that they were needed at the injury site had diminished drastically, and building and repairing muscles slowed down considerably.
The More You Drink, The Thirstier You Get
Consuming alcohol dehydrates you. This is important, because being dehydrated affects most everything in your body; from your mood to the ability your mind has to process information and memories. In addition to that, research has shown that dehydration does immediate damage to your brain, even shrinking it. Your capacity for learning, memory, and mental alertness will all suffer if you're dehydrated.
We live in a world full of temptations, alcohol being one of them. Yes we are human and there will be times where you have a drink or two of alcohol whether its during the holidays, at ballgames, or on the recliner. The important thing is to drink responsibly and in moderation when the moment strikes.
Source: muscleandfitness.com