Effects of Beer on Your Fitness
Have you ever thought about beer and fitness being related in a positive way? I can’t believe I am saying this, but beer actually has some health benefits. Dustin Driver, a writer for askmen.com, has claimed that “the delicious brew is chock-full of natural antioxidants and vitamins that can prevent heart disease and even help rebuild muscle, and we’re going to let you in on precisely why beer and fitness belong together.”
Ounce-for-ounce, beer has one of the highest energy contents of any food or drink. Only pure fat can top it. This does not mean you need to drink several beers every day to energize yourself. So keep that in mind when you guzzle three or four at the local pub. Your average beer has about 120 calories and four have as many calories as a Big Mac. That many calories can have dire consequences if you’re trying to lose weight. One beer after work probably won’t tip the scales in either direction, though. However, binge drinking every weekend will do some damage. Drink beer in moderation and you won’t hold on to all those extra calories. Several diet/nutrition plans will tell you to totally eliminate alcohol from your diet. The key thing to remember is moderation!
Looking for some healthy choices when it comes to antioxidants? Try pomegranates, black berries, and beer? Driver claims that “the latest research has found that beer has almost as many antioxidants as red wine, which is saying something.” When it comes to health, Driver found that some beers are better than others. Generally, “dark beers pack more of an antioxidant punch than light beers (antioxidants help reverse the cellular damage caused by oxidizing compounds that naturally occur in your body).”
If you’re looking for an energy boost, beer is definitely not the answer. Try natural sugar like the kind found in fruits. “Alcohol is pure caloric fuel, but it does funny (and fun) things to your physiology. It’s a depressant — it makes you tired and sluggish. Beer and fitness do slightly complement one another — as long as you’re not trying to enjoy both at once.”
So how do beer and fitness go together at the recovery stage? A dark beer a few hours after a workout can deliver “a good dose of antioxidants.” Still, you’ll probably want to reach for water and a healthy snack — like fruit and yogurt — immediately following your routine at the gym. You can also reach for 1% chocolate milk which is an excellent recovery drinks that works as well as high dollar drinks.
Drink beer in moderation — too much of a good thing, even beer, can be very bad. Alcoholism can lead to liver problems, kidney disease, heart disease, and a shattered social life. However, it turns out that beer is good, even if you’re a fitness nut.
Driver, Dustin. http://www.askmen.com/sports/foodcourt_200/211b_eating_well.html