Abstaining from alcohol

[Orion]

I only ever drink at xmas parties and after last year im thinking of stopping that. I heard somewhere that if effects your muscle growth etc for up to 72 hours.

Regards

Orion

[Sohan]

Those who drink yet want to develop better and bigger muscles might want to rethink their habits.

Even modest alcohol consumption slows down protein synthesis by up to 20%, thereby mostly rendering your workouts a waste of time. It also lowers testosterone and human growth hormone levels which are responsible for muscle development and even increases estrogen levels--yes, estrogen, the hormone that makes women women.

It causes dehydration, which is hard on the kidneys and decreases your ability to create ATP, which is what your muscles use for energy to contract. Muscles are comprised of 70% water, which makes it a rather essential component for development.

Finally, alcohol consumption depletes the body of A, B, and C vitamins, and the minerals calcium, zinc and phosphorus. It also increases fat storage--with 7 calories of emptiness per gram, alcohol is very fattening. Alcohol also disrupts the Krebs Cycle, which plays an important role in fat burning.

Don't drink if you want to be fit and healthy. If you must, drink moderately.

With respect,

Sohan

[KarateGirl1387]

Yeah, alcohol can really cause you to pack on the pounds if you're not too careful. It's absorbed almost immediately into the bloodstream and can slow down your metabolism. Last year I was afraid of gaining the "Freshmen 15" when I started my first year of college (luckily I didn't gain an ounce), but then someone told me it's mostly caused by drinking, which I don't do, and not due to lack of exercise and eating more.