EXERCISE, ALCOHOL AND YOU
Dateline: 12/29/97
Post your comments at the Exercise
Forum!
Exercise, Alcohol And You
Consumption of alcohol is a heatedly debated subject and will be for some time. Some people don't recommend drinking but say if you do, do so in moderation. Other people say you should drink because of it's health benefits like wine makers, some doctors, etc. I wonder why wine makers do? When I talk to friends, clients, and such, I tell them not to drink at all. I also tell them that if they do, do so in moderation. There is only one problem! What is moderation? What is moderation for one person, is excess for another. I will examine alcohol's relation to exercise and our goals, it's alleged health benefits, and more. I could drag out this article and make it very technical, but I will be brief and to the point as much as possible.
Alcohol contains empty calories. There is no nutritional value in alcohol. Basically, it is a waste. If you are watching your calories, alcohol can contribute to not reaching your goals. If you are going to add calories to your diet, let them count for some nutrition.
Some studies have shown "moderate" amounts of alcohol have a beneficial effect on heart attacks, etc. Although many of these studies disagree on which type of alcohol (beer, wine, spirits, etc) is the most beneficial, what the best amount is, and who will benefit. Some people also may be more susceptible to addiction. Even though there are studies to show that alcohol in moderation can be beneficial, there are a number of things you can do to achieve the same benefits and more. You can eat a low-fat (saturated) diet, consume more fruits and vegetables (anti-oxidants/phytochemicals), stay active and exercise, and abstain from smoking.
Now that we have discussed the beneficial effect alcohol "may" have, let us discuss the adverse effects alcohol may have. Since moderation can only be estimated for the average person (2 drinks for men, 1 drink for women per day), one can only hope that they are average. Heavy drinking has been determined by some people as anything above moderation. This type of drinking can lead to cirrhosis, cause fatty deposits to accumulate in the liver, impair liver function which is to detoxify your system, fat metabolism, and more. Heavy drinking also contributes to many other health problems related to the brain, gastrointestinal tract, and your cardiovascular system. Everyone also knows from the news that alcohol has a part in thousands of deaths, rapes, beatings, and more every year.
The bottom line is that the adverse effects of alcohol greatly outweigh the alleged benefits. Eat more fruits and vegetables, drink more water, eat right, and stay active. Here are nine ways to drink less or not at all from the Wellness Encyclopedia from UC Berkley.
Let your waistline be your incentive. For the same 215 calories in two seven-ounce gin and tonics, you can have three ounces of broiled, trimmed sirloin and get the meat's additional nutrients.
If you do drink, measure your consumption: five ounces of wine, twelve ounces of beer, or one-and-a-half ounces of spirits is the maximum that a 160 pound man should consume within an hour and a half to two hours. A lighter person should drink less. If the drink vanishes before the time is up, switch to juice or water.
At a restaurant, order food first, not a cocktail. That way you'll probably have time for only one drink before the meal is served.
Schedule your business meetings at breakfast time.
Avoid drinks made with carbonated mixers, especially if you're thirsty. You'll gulp them down.
If there is a convenient place to set a drink down, do that in preference to holding the glass constantly in your hand.
If you are drinking a glass of good wine, sip some water on the side. Make the wine last.
Try a spicy Bloody Mary without the vodka.
Remember that the pressure to have a drink may be in your imagination. It is becoming more and more acceptable to say "no thanks" to alcohol.
Be a leader, not a follower. Learn to just say "No!"
If you have any questions or comments on exercise, nutrition, fitness, weight loss, etc., go to the Exercise Forum where we are talking about the following:
Subscribe to the Exercise Newsletter to be informed on the latest in exercise information, new utilities added to this site, and more.
Use this pull-down menu to view articles on this
site.
Use this pull-down menu to use the great utilities on this
site.
