We’ve heard it several times here: fellas having a cheeky session before heading out on the town to get those veins showing all night. Unfortunately, it might not be worth it.
Previous research all suggests the same: drinking after exercise can negate the benefits of working out. According to The Conversation, there are multiple reasons why your body might not respond well to alcohol following physical activity.
Firstly, the publication suggests that during a heavy workout, your body is losing vital nutrients and fluids. And because alcohol is a diuretic, instead of replenishing the body, it adds to the the dehydration process.
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Studies also suggest that alcohol increases the recovery time needed while also impacting the healing process. The media outlet also hints that a heavy night of drinking will carry over to the following day and affect your eating habits, indirectly delaying the rehabilitation time.
Finally, with sleep being a vital step to muscle rebuilding, alcohol is impeding your sleeping patterns, hindering the recovery process.
If you’re struggling for a post-match drink that will do the trick, why not try Calum Von Moger’s ‘cure for anything‘: chocolate milk. It’s also backed by science because it’s stacked with important carbs and protein.