Episode 49 – Ten Reasons Why Drinking Alcohol Is NOT For You
It’s popular at social occasions.
People that drink it seem jolly. Others use alcohol as an outlet or even a confidence booster.
But is it really healthy?
While alcohol has some positive social, psychological and physical health benefits, in this article today let’s discuss the downsides to alcohol on our health and fitness with these 10 reasons why drinking alcohol is NOT for you. For all our drinkers out there, take one last drink and read on.
Alcohol
Ethanol is the main part of alcoholic drinks that we need to focus on today. Ethanol is a volatile, flammable, colorless liquid with a characteristic odor. This chemical substance is basically the toxin that gives us the “funny” feelings when we drink it.
Aside from the funny feelings, here are the other things alcohol does to us. Are you ready? Alcohol:
- Takes away energy
Drinking interferes with the way our body makes energy. The liver has trouble producing glucose while alcohol is in the body.
- Affects muscle building and repair
Drinking temporarily impairs the production of protein while it is being processed in the liver. For those who like muscles, this is not a good thing.
- Lowers testosterone levels
Drinking alcohol can mean a few things (for men in particular) such as lower muscle mass, lower sex drive, and lower self-esteem.
- Cell damage
Drinking also uses up an amino acid called glutathione, that serves as a free-radical in our body. This amino acid is handy in keeping our cells healthy and our immune system strong.
- Makes us feel sick and ill
Drinking too much can make us feel nauseous and vomit (ok, a given).
Drinking blocks the absorption of nutrients such as amino acids and B group vitamins in our body. This isn’t good in the short, medium or long term for our health and fitness status.
- Dehydration occurs
Drinking too much can lead to excessive urination. We need to stay hydrated in order to maintain the flow of blood through our body. It’s needed also to circulate nutrients and oxygen to our muscles, bones, and organs.
- Makes us get fat
Drinking is the ultimate empty calorie fest! If you want to lose fat or get that dream body, then skip the alcohol. All the more if you’re mixing alcohol with other things like energy drinks, soft drink mixers or juices.
- There’s no nutrition
Most commercial and mass produced drinks don’t have any nutrients in them.
- Gateway to other vices
Drinking blocks our brain cells from using our usually good and moral judgment. This often leads to the modified behavior we seen in “drunks” such as rudeness, loudness, excessive gambling, smoking, and other drug use, as well as risk taking such as attention-getting stunts, drink-driving, unnecessary violence.
But wait, if drinking alcohol is NOT for you and I, what’s the point of drinking alcohol? Read on below.
Does this mean drinking is not beneficial?
It’s not all bad news.
As mentioned in the introduction, alcohol has a few benefits. Alcohol, when taken in moderation has been linked to these benefits:
- Reducing the risk of heart disease and cancer by increasing the HDL levels or good cholesterol in the body. Red wine has been credited for this.
- It’s a good social icebreaker and even a confidence booster for the extra shy.
Ultimately, it’s your choice.
Yep, that’s right. It’s always your choice.
In this article today, we’ve discussed the downsides to alcohol on our health and fitness with these 10 reasons why drinking alcohol is NOT for you. While alcohol has some positive social, psychological and physical health benefits it’s ultimately up to you to make the best decision for your health and fitness.
Cheers.
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Bibliography
- Chek, P. (2009) How to Eat, Move and Be Healthy!
- Chopra, D. (1995) Boundless Energy: The complete Mind/Body Program for Overcoming Chronic Fatigue. Three Rivers Press
- Germov, J., Williams, L. (2004) A Sociology of Food & Nutrition: The Social Appetite (2nd Ed.) Oxford.
- Gropper, S., Smith, J., Groff, J. (2005) Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism (4th Ed.), Thomson Wadsworth
- Kausman, R. (2004). If not dieting, then what? Allen & Unwin
- Mahan, L. Escott-Stump, S. (2004) Krause’s Food, Nutrition & Diet Therapy (11th Ed.) Saunders
- McWilliams, M. (2001) Foods: Experimental Perspectives (4th Ed.) Prentice-Hall
- Porth, C. (2002) Pathophysiology: Concepts of Altered Health States (6th Ed.) Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
Chris Everingham lives and breathes health & fitness.
Hi, I’m Chris Everingham.
I’m sharing the holistic performance secrets that I both personally used to overcome racial scrutiny, escape poverty and depression, AND taught others so that they too could bring proven success and happiness into their lives.
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