I became a member of the knights of columbus last night so I celebrated with a few drinks.
Earlier in the day I had eaten protein, workout out legs and had another protein shake.
Usually doing that I don't get sore the next day, but I notice on the nights that I drink after a workout I am ALWAYS sore.
Does a workout get ruined from the drinking? Do the muscles have trouble repairing?
What one puts in their mouth, and/or how much of it, does matter. In brief, (and this of course depends on the person,
and how much); alcohol is a dehydrator (which means it removes water from the body). Water is a carrier and catalyst of many physiological/biological necessities within our bodies.
Muscle is "primarily" water (with contents), and not protein, like most people think.
Combine these: Dehydration action of excess alcohol, the muscle being primarily water, and the uptake of water can be inhibited/decreased/severely depressed. It follows to a degree, that if water is inhibited (in very excessive amounts of alcohol), the uptake of nutrients necessary for recovery can be inhibited or at least effect the persons peak efficiency for recovery. Additionally, while the body can multitask, (again alcohol in excess) many organs (liver, kidney, etc, etc) are preoccupied in dealing with a potential poison, which it could have been pre-occupied in giving you more "peaked" recovery (keeping things equal).
In other words, yes, alcohol can and will effect recover ability--even IF protein consumption is up to snuff. It is NOT "only" protein that "assists", "aids" recovery. It will not entirely ruin it, but you aren't doing yourself any recover ability favors drinking alcohol........ in severe excess.
Peace.......
Chillen
