Alcohol and sport
Especially in summer, people drink more. At the social activities that will hopefully soon be taking place again, such as barbecues, alcohol is also flowing more frequently. But what is the truth about the harmfulness for training? Find out here.
First things first: alcohol has a stimulating and disinhibiting effect and usually makes us feel good. However, this feeling is bought at a price when a certain amount is consumed.
Calories
Alcohol has quite a few calories and for this reason alone leads to weight gain. So if you train well and like to drink just as much, you can see the effects on the scales here.
Diuretic
Alcohol is diuretic and can therefore cause lasting damage to fluid balance. Especially if you are exercising in the heat, the first litre should be alcohol-free. Water or diluted juices are ideal. (This is not a licence to get drunk afterwards).
Immune system
Alcohol inhibits our immune system. Although its function is improved during training, it is also "in the basement" (very unscientifically speaking) immediately after training. It is unfavourable to consume alcohol here. The inhibitory effect can already be measured after a quarter of a litre of wine or half a litre of beer.
Sleep
Alcohol may give us the feeling that we fall asleep more easily. But it significantly worsens the deep sleep phase. This robs sleep of its restorative value, especially when alcohol consumption is high.
Habituation effects
As with all drugs, we get used to the dose and need more and more to feel the effects. This is very similar with cigarettes, caffeine and other addictive substances.
Summary from the field
Alcohol often becomes a problem when it is taken without ritual and out of sheer habit. From a sporting point of view, I say quite clearly that daily consumption is a problem. Often it doesn't stop at the still trivialised eight-pint. For years I coached an athlete who, despite all his conscientious training, was not successful in his sport until he confided in me that he drank six beers a day. After he switched (also through therapy) to "occasion-related intoxication in moderation" (parties), things also improved athletically.
Alcohol as a stimulant should ideally always be embedded in a social context that allows us to consciously enjoy its quite positive effects (and yes, as coaches we sometimes have one too).
Enjoy your training!