Just the other day, Secretariat sent me a Washington Post article related to working out and alcohol. This article was going to be a dilemma since having a beer, generally after a workout, has been a habit or routine since I have known him. The “custom” has been, for the group, to drink beer after an endurance ride, training ride, training run, or running event. Most often we run in the morning and at times return home before noon. When home, I give him a choice of either a Coke or a beer. What do you think he prefers? If you said “beer”, you guessed right.
Recently, while I was running the Jed Smith 50 K., Secretariat, on one of the loops, was given a beer at an unofficial aid station. And on the last loop, he was looking to have a second one. On another occasion, Secretariat, Carrie and I were running back from Cool. He ran ahead of Carrie and me, and stopped at Chris Turney’s for a beer while waiting for us. These examples illustrate his fondness for drinking beer.
Briefly, the article stated that alcohol in your system was detrimental to any type of fitness activity. To illustrate: 1. hard workouts drained glycogen stores and major muscle tissue in need of repair. So instead of stalling your recovery process by drinking a beer, drink low-fat chocolate milk, or peanut butter on whole wheat crackers.
2. Alcohol increased levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, which further encouraged self storage of fat typically in your midsection. In other words, booze breaks down amino acids and stores them as fat.
3. Alcohol slowed muscle recovery, performance and disrupted sleep as well. Disrupting the sleep cycle reduced human growth hormone output. You do not want to do that, because HGH builds muscle.
4. Alcohol irritated the stomach lining, which reduced nutrient absorption capacity. It also contributed to dehydration which hurts performance.
I asked Secretariat if he was having a beer, after his running competition this past Saturday. His reply was something to the effect that “life is too short to eliminate all your pleasures.” Okay, do not change your habit or pleasure. Some behaviors are difficult to change. So when reading something that is contrary to what you do, cognitive dissonance sets in. And , thinking is employed that justifies the behavior.
Secretariat, I do not want to disrupt your pleasure, but do you honestly think you would run more efficiently if you drank chocolate milk after your training runs?
From Secretariat: Since Frank is bating me hear I will have to respond. Since I sent him the article that he talks about above. I will now hit him with another one.
"Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy," said Benjamin Franklin – and who are we to argue with such an august figure?
The problem most runners have, though, is reconciling sinking a couple of cold ones with the consequential effect on their training. However, although we all know the dangers of drinking too much, moderate beer drinking may be better for us than we think.
Beer also contains B-vitamins and chromium, which help in converting carbohydrate to energy; and choline, which, ironically, protects against liver damage and memory loss. In 2003, a review of studies showed that while heavy alcohol consumption increases the risk of a stroke, moderate consumption may lower it. The recommended daily intake for athletes is 500ml (just under one pint) for men and 250ml (just under a half) for women.
There are also benefits linked to recovery from exercise, says nutritionist Kim Pearson (www.equilibria-health.co.uk). "Beer contains predominantly water and carbohydrate, both of which are essential in post-race recovery," she says. "A recent study at Granada University in Spain found that the sugars, salts and bubbles in a pint can help athletes absorb fluids more quickly than rehydrating with water.
"The carbon dioxide in beer helps quench thirst more quickly, while the carbohydrates replace some of the calories lost through exercise."
Moderate consumption is the key to enjoying a guilt-free beer.
From Secretariat: Since Frank is bating me hear I will have to respond. Since I sent him the article that he talks about above. I will now hit him with another one.
Beer Benefits
There's nothing like a cool pint after a hot run - and it might even do you good
Posted: 12 May 2008
by Kerry McCarthy
by Kerry McCarthy
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The problem most runners have, though, is reconciling sinking a couple of cold ones with the consequential effect on their training. However, although we all know the dangers of drinking too much, moderate beer drinking may be better for us than we think.
Here comes the science bit...
Beer, like red wine, does have health benefits. The malt and hops used in both lager and bitter contain flavonoids, which counter cell damage and help reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease.Beer also contains B-vitamins and chromium, which help in converting carbohydrate to energy; and choline, which, ironically, protects against liver damage and memory loss. In 2003, a review of studies showed that while heavy alcohol consumption increases the risk of a stroke, moderate consumption may lower it. The recommended daily intake for athletes is 500ml (just under one pint) for men and 250ml (just under a half) for women.
There are also benefits linked to recovery from exercise, says nutritionist Kim Pearson (www.equilibria-health.co.uk). "Beer contains predominantly water and carbohydrate, both of which are essential in post-race recovery," she says. "A recent study at Granada University in Spain found that the sugars, salts and bubbles in a pint can help athletes absorb fluids more quickly than rehydrating with water.
"The carbon dioxide in beer helps quench thirst more quickly, while the carbohydrates replace some of the calories lost through exercise."
Moderate consumption is the key to enjoying a guilt-free beer.
