Wine...Beer and Exercise!

You have to agree with me that there is nothing nicer than going for a long bike ride or run with a bunch of your mates and ending it off with a cool beer or glass of Chenin Blanc. Its social and fun and in your own mind you have done your exercise for the day, so why not?

Pale ale contains Silicon which is linked to bone health and increased bone density. Always a good thing to prevent fractures especially if you come off your bike on the single track at speed. Beer helps raise levels of 'HDL' or good cholesterol which stops your arteries from getting clogged. Your risk of developing kidney stones is reduced by drinking beer. Beer contains Vitamin B12 and folic acid and raises your levels of Vitamin B6.

Wine on the other hand especially red contains tannins which can protect against heart disease. This also includes cutting the risk of stroke, heart attack and type 2 diabetes. Good news is that research has also shown that wine can slow brain decline.

But what effect does alcohol have on you immediately following exercise? Post strenuous exercise you need to refuel with high quality protein and carbohydrates in order to recover and repair exhausted muscles. Strangely enough the best drink to have after exercise would be a large glass of low fat chocolate milk, it replaces lost protein, carbohydrates, calcium, potassium and magnesium and is of course yummy. Despite the health benefits of alcohol, post exercise that lovely tall cold one will stall recovery. Alcohol is very high in calories and your body will prioritise metabolising the alcohol over burning fats and carbs which can result in weight gain. Alcohol also increases levels of cortisol which can further encourage fat storage especially around the mid section. Alcohol makes you want to go to the toilet a lot more often and this will result in water loss it also inhibits the absorption of nutrients in our stomachs.

So it is probably not a good idea to have that drink after all. BUT and do not quote me here....You have gone for a cycle or run with your mates on a beautiful sunny day, you are having a lot of fun, chatting and relaxing from the stresses of the week, so why ever not? Have that drink, BUT and sorry there is a but once again, do not make it a habit and remember everything in moderation! Exercise should be fun and enjoyable so breaking the rules every now and again is not a bad thing. CHEERS!!!!!