To ‘Chug’ or ‘Not To Chug’ Beer After A Workout

I was asked this question this week and it sparked my curiosity. While I always known beer to be a diuretic, having it prior to exercising (eg. running event, cross-training workout, etc.), would pose a conflict by dehydrating the body. The same thing goes for after a 5K race or marathon; the goal is to rehydrate after losing excessive fluids. There are so many opinions and of course, the choice is ultimately yours. I did search around for more definitive answers and ran across an article from RUNNERS.COM. Below is an excerpt from the article. The link to the entire article can be found below as well. Personally, I would not drink a beer (or any alcoholic beverage of choice) before exercising. With my low tolerance for alcohol, I may end up being the entertainment for the night:) Exactly what I would not want prior to exerting an abundant amount of energy. After a workout, maybe!! The cold refreshing taste is acquired, but I’m more focused on a cold shower, my remote control, National Geographic and the sofa rather than an a cold beer.

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“While you obviously don’t want to replace a midmarathon sports drink with a beer, a few sips on a short fun run isn’t such a big deal. In longer events, you’re already partially dehydrated, so even a small amount of alcohol can impair judgment and coordination. Alcohol can also dilate the skin’s blood vessels, which promotes heat loss and may make you colder. Hot days are no better; they speed dehydration. And carbonated beverages empty slowly from the stomach, increasing the risk of bloating and cramping.”

http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-242-300–12434-0,00.html