There are many differing opinions and researched arguments that have been offered on the health benefits and risks of alcohol. Many fitness enthusiasts warn their followers to avoid alcohol entirely, as any endorsement of alcohol is likely to be used by people as an excuse to drink in excess and ignore the numerous problems that can arise from alcohol consumption.
Standing against the consumption of alcohol before or after a workout are the following facts; alcohol is a diuretic that will dehydrate your body, it can disrupt your sleep cycles and limit the release of human growth hormone, it can limit the release of testosterone, and the body processes it like a toxin which diverts energy from recovery and muscle building.
All that said, alcohol has also been demonstrated to have health benefits for your heart and coronary system when consumed in moderation. And it’s delicious.
So is it possible to enjoy alcohol around a workout routine without being hammered by the negative consequences listed above?
Fortunately the answer is yes. For starters, don’t drink soon BEFORE a workout as the dehydration will sap your body of energy and limit your performance. Similarly, don’t drink in excess before or after the workout and don’t neglect water. Up to one drink per day for a woman and perhaps two for a man are considered the limits of healthy alcohol consumption.
Beyond that, here are four drinks you can consume after a workout that won’t drain all the benefit from your fitness routine provided you don’t overdo it.
Red Wine
Red wine is rich in antioxidants, has only 110-130 calories per glass, and has some extra nutritional value. It has 4-9% of your recommended daily portion of Iron, 9.4% of the potassium you need, and 5% of the needed magnesium.
So while red wine will prove to be a diuretic, it does replace some of your electrolytes while benefitting your heart health.
Vodka and soda water
Soda water is simply carbonated water and has no sugar or additional negative elements. Vodka is also low in sugar and calories, so this is one of your best low-calorie drinking options if the aim of your workout routine is weight loss.
After a workout, when your body becomes hungry and your stomach is empty, it’s important to be careful not to fill it with volatile elements. Vodka and soda water is lighter in sugar than most all mixed drinks and consequently will sit in the stomach far better. It’s better to mix these drinks with some food as well, so the alcohol doesn’t hit your tired body as hard.
Guinness Stout
Despite being one of the heaviest drinks you can find, Guinness Stout actually only has 128 calories per 12 ounces. This dark beer is made from whole grains and features levels of antioxidants on par with red wines. It’s also strong in Iron.
Most alcoholic drinks don’t feature “nutrition facts” on the label but Guinness Stout is legitimately filled with good carbs. Some scientists actually believe that beer is a good recovery drink after a long, endurance workout. Now, the benefits are even greater if it’s a non-alcoholic beer because alcohol will affect you much faster if you are tired and hungry.
Nevertheless, Guinness can offer some of the nutrients the body needs to recover from a workout and it’s hard to drink it fast enough to overload your system with alcohol due to the drink’s notoriously heavy composition.
Bloody Mary
It’s true that any juice-filled cocktail will offer some nutritional value due to the inclusion of the juice, but few can compare with the Bloody Mary.
The ingredients are as follows:
Vodka, which is a low calorie spirit.
Tomatoes, which are filled with ingredients that protect the skin, prostate, eyes, while also being chockfull of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, antioxidants, and potassium.
Horseradish, resists the common cold, can reduce pain, has antibiotic properties, and reduces risk of cancer.
Celery, which helps your digestive system and lowers your blood pressure.
You can probably include a Bloody Mary into your diet around a workout without suffering too much.
Ultimately, while many alcoholic drinks can have nutritional value they aren’t terribly useful for adding lean muscle mass or losing weight. Yet, by carefully choosing how much and which kinds of alcohol you consume, it’s possible to enjoy a drink without erasing the positive effects of your workout routine.
Author Bio: IanB writes for Boxfit UK where you can acquire boxing gear to maximize your workouts.