Do you want to know why alcohol will destroy your muscle gains? Every day, we hear comments from aspiring bodybuilders worldwide about alcohol and muscle gains.
We are sorry, but too much alcohol will destroy your muscle gains and fitness goals. Although, of course, almost everyone loves to drink alcohol because it helps them relax. But even the producers of alcohol remind you to drink responsibly.
Alcohol is far more harmful than most people think, and you must understand how this drug (yes, alcohol is a drug) affects your progress.
Also, this is not an anti-drug speech, but if you want to achieve an imposing physique, you should know the five primary ways alcohol slows down your gains.
1) It negatively affects protein synthesis.
2) It lowers testosterone levels and increases estrogen.
Testosterone is the most important muscle-building hormone in your body. One of the limiting factors that determines how much muscle a person can gain is their level of free-flowing testosterone.
While protein builds muscle, testosterone tells it when and how much muscle to build. Your body is flexible, and it can use protein to make other things, such as cells. It does not have to use protein to build muscle unless told by your hormones. Your body can also convert protein into energy through a process called gluconeogenesis.
3) It causes dehydration.
The kidneys must filter vast amounts of water to break down alcohol, resulting in severe dehydration within the body. In addition, water plays a crucial role in the muscle-building process, and when alcohol slightly dehydrates you, that is a recipe for disaster. Also, this is because water makes up around 70% of your muscles.
4) It depletes vitamins and minerals.
Alcohol consumption causes your body to rapidly drain vitamins A, C, B, calcium, and zinc. Vitamins and minerals keep every little process in your body functioning correctly, and many of these processes involve muscle growth and maintenance.
5) It increases fat storage.
With seven empty calories per gram, alcohol can be quite fattening. Alcohol also disrupts the Krebs Cycle, which plays an essential role in fat burning. Also, it causes fatty liver.
The bottom line on why alcohol will destroy your muscle gains
It is essential to have fun, but too much fun can lead to problems. If you’re serious about achieving significant muscle-building results, you need to monitor your intake of alcohol and make sure that you are consuming it in moderation.
A few drinks here and there is no problem, but if you drink every weekend, you can certainly kiss your muscle gains goodbye. If you decide to go out and party, drink plenty of water and properly nourish yourself with vitamins/minerals and a protein-rich meal.
We don’t recommend planning your entire life around your muscle-building program. However, do not be afraid to go out and have a good time. Keep your drinking nights infrequent (only once a month) and properly nourish yourself to lessen its effects. As long as you monitor what you are doing, you can achieve an impressive physique and have a social life at the same time.
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