Can you Drink Alcohol and Still Maintain a Good Body? by Zach Bashore
Almost everyone loves having a good time and what do these good
times usually revolve around? You guessed it, alcohol. Even the serious
bodybuilders get tempted to drink and have a good time, but should he or she
drink or not? The answer will vary on the person and how educated he or she
is on recovery from drinking alcohol and knowing what alcohol does to the
body.
Nutrient wise, alcohol contains seven calories per gram, which is
three calories higher than carb and protein sources. The calories that come
from alchol are mostly sugars and very little protein. Even low carb beers
contain around 100 calories even thought they only have about two and a half
grams of carbs and half a gram of protein. A twelve ounce wine cooler
contains 180 calories, a two ounce strawberry daiquiri contains 110
calories, so alcohol is very calorie dense.
Although alcohol is absorbed rapidly, it is metabolized very
slowly and can have a negative effect on athletic performance. If an athlete
consumes as little as two or three drinks fourty-eight hours prior to his or
her performance, the athlete will suffer from impaired reaction time,
decreased strength, and impaired hand/eye coordination. Alcohol will also
increase fatigue, interfere with body temperature, cause dehydration, impact
cellular repair, deplete aerobic capacity, disrupt sleep, and cause vitamin
and mineral depletion.
Most adults who drink alcohol consume reasonable amounts but
there always those who drink irresponsibly. These irresponsible people
increase their risk of illness, injury, and are more likely to have drinking
problems than the responsible drinkers. Alcohol abuse can cause significant
harm to a person`s health and completely destroy a person`s life. If you
decide to drink, it`s very important that you know if your drinking patterns
are risky, safe, or even harmful.
We are only human and need to have a good time every now and
then. Some people could not live with the thought of never being able to
touch alcohol while others would find it very easy. Drinking is okay if you
keep it in moderation. However, don`t let it control you and let it become
who you are. Alcoholism is not fun. I`ve been through it and seen many of my
friends fade away because of it. Just be careful.
