Christmas is here! Does grabbing a vodka cranberry, a beer, or some wine while you unwind with some of your favorite people sound like a good time? It does to me! Christmas and New Years are just around the corner, marking the countdown to two of the top-five most popular drinking holidays of the year. While a drink or two may be permissible, it is important to keep in mind the effects that alcohol has on the body.
Alcohol has many effects but many people, including myself, forget the effects it has on muscle growth.
- Too much alcohol affects the protein synthesis necessary for the break down and rebuilding of muscle.
- Alcohol lowers the testosterone levels in men and estrogen levels in women. These sex hormones are crucial in the maintenance of muscle.
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- Normal sleeping patterns are disrupted, inhibiting growth hormone secretion. Growth hormone is important for the maintenance of muscle.
- With alcohol consumption comes the onset of dehydration.
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Does this mean we should avoid drinking alcohol all together if we are trying to build muscle mass? Not necessarily! Everything is good in moderation including, yes you guessed it, alcohol! Drinking alcohol also has its benefits. It increases your HDL (good) cholesterol, reduces your stress levels and might even make that crazy uncle of yours more tolerable.
Cheers to the holiday season!
By Victor Carillo
