Is it bad for me to have an alcoholic beverage after an intense workout?

[MayaJJ]

I do pretty intense cardio at the gym a few nights a week. I'm pretty thirsty after my session this since I run in long leggings and long sleeve top to train my body for summer jogging and finish up with a long sauna. I loooove having a drink afterwards (just one!). It feels sooo good! Is this bad for my body?

[Climber]

Its not bad if you also hydrate your body enough after the workout. Alcohol does two things: it dehydrates again and important, it adds calories again. A standard beer is about 1/2 h of cardio. So keep that in mind if you drink. But I would not call it bad. Main purpose of going to the gym is feeling happy. If that single glass helps you feeling even more happy, why not.

[MayaJJ]

yeah and I will hydrate myself later anyway, it just feels really good haha... thanks for your reply!

[LJHam]

I'm not a fitness expert but just my basic knowledge of alcohol doesn't led me to believe it's good for you after a workout. You've spent all that time pumping up your body and then you turn around and add a dehydrating, depressant to your system? That's completely counter productive.

[Blondiee2014]

Your body treats alcohol as a toxin and won't take in any nutrients until it's flushed out the alcohol.
So any protein you consume after work out won't reach your muscles.
Plus most alcoholic drinks are high in calories so you're kinda defeating the point.

[Phoenix98]

Replace alcohol with protein, never go past 3 scoops though, not unless you want a wild ride.

Because Protein is beer for bodybuilders and fitness people.

https://i57.tinypic.com/20ur0bl.jpg

[KitKatKo]

Jesus, no, that's not a good idea. you're thirsty after the workout because you're dehydrated. Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it causes more water to be passed out of your body by your kidneys, making that dehydration worse. Drink WATER after a workout. Have your drink a few hours later, after you've properly rehydrated.

Fun fact, dehydration from alcohol is usually what causes a hangover. Drink plenty of water through the night and you can limit the ill effects the next morning.

[Anonymous]

Directly afterwards I'd say yeah maybe a little but not too much. Alcohol is essentially a toxin. And excercising already puts a strain on your body. So if you do it right after it's like adding an extra level of work on your cells for no reason. Your body also secretes certain chemicals post workout to encourage the stress relief and repair processes among other things so in not sure how alcohol will effect those chemicals it may lessen the effects of your workout. I highly doubt it's helping.

[Remonster]

Nah, not really. Provided it's just a single glass. Just be sensible about it and drink some water first or along with the alcoholic beverage. Also don't forget to take in some protein, though you can do it later in the day just fine.

[WeaponZero]

Don't try to say you're having alcohol because you're thirsty. Alcohol does nothing to quench thirst. It dehydrates, actually, and after an intense workout you need to hydrate.

[MayaJJ]

Yeah I know, I just think it tastes extra good because I'm thirsty lol but yeah I rehydrate later

[Theguyoverthere]

One is fine as long as you're drinking water throughout the day and after as well. This is assuming it's just one like you said.

[genericname85]

not "bad" but it will hit you like a firetruck xD so take it easy with the alcohol. i think alcohol combined with sauna is dangerous though so don´t do that.

[Intellectiskey]

Well one drink will not kill you and is not bad for you. ONE drink can be healthy actually.

[DaddyRollingStone]

Alcohol is high in calories and dehydrates you, so it is not a very good choice... Water is best.

[DoraLikesSugar]

It's bad if you're having just one, yes.
You're never gonna get pissed that way.

[TheSpartan]

It's unconventional, though I don't think such a thing will affect you.

[Anonymous]

probably, anything that feelsss sooooooo good usually is

[Anonymous]

Having one pint of a high quality craft beer would be okay (as long as the calorie count doesn't bother you)

[OrdinaryGentleman]

lol sign me up for that program