Not Healthy, This Is A Row Of Dangers Of Drinking Beer After Exercise

The 2025 Sweat Run Pocari in Bandung was shocked by the action of distributing free beer by the Bandung Free Runners. The viral video of Aishaama Harani highlighted the controversy over the provision of alcohol in running and ignoring the dangers of drinking beer after sports.

Ironically, this event that should promote health has actually been tarnished. This incident sparked big questions about sponsorship ethics and public understanding of post-olahraga recovery.

Experts agree, drinking beer after exercise is not an ideal choice. Reporting from the Single Care page, let's dissect some of the reasons!

Exercise makes the body lose fluids through sweat, and alcohol actually triggers more urination. So that the combination of the two can lead to severe dehydration.

Even so, not all alcoholic beverages are the same. Research shows that 2% or less alcohol-graded drinks (such as some light beer) do not necessarily cause dehydration. However, if the alcohol content reaches 4% or more (such as beer in general), it will accelerate the loss of fluids because it often urinates.

"The system of your body needs to be hydrated so that muscles can recover efficiently. This is a strong reason to avoid alcohol after exercise," explained Dr. Johnyansky, Ria Health's Chief Medical Officer.

Kelli Santiago, a board-certified sports nutritionist, added, "Re-primand after one alcoholic drink can require twofold water, and that doesn't include fluids that are lost during exercise."

While exercising, muscles experience small 'wounds' that need to be repaired with protein (this process is called muscle protein synthesis). Unfortunately, alcohol can interfere with protein production, and keep your muscles sore and damaged.

"Alcohol can significantly reduce muscle protein synthesis, even if consumed with protein. This results in poor recovery, muscle pain increases, and decreased muscle mass without fat," said Diana Nguyen, a performance nutritionist at the US Army Special Operations Command.

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It's common knowledge that alcohol can interfere with sleep, especially the REM sleep phase which is important for recovery. But, it's not just fatigue that causes it. While sleeping, the body produces human growth hormones (HGH), hormones important for muscle repair and growth. Nguyen explained, when alcohol interferes with sleep, HGH production can be reduced by up to 70%.

When athletes recharge with alcohol instead of carbohydrates, proteins, and electrolytes, they actually make the body lack of vital energy sources for peak performance and recovery.

So don't think beer, which contains carbohydrates, can replace the body's needs. "Even though alcohol contains carbohydrates, it is metabolized and stored as fat, so it doesn't help recharge or rebuild muscles," Santiago said.

A study found that alcohol consumption after exercise can increase the hormone cortisol (stress hormone) and lower testosterone (men's sex hormone).

The excess of cortisol can inhibit the protein synthesis needed to build muscles, and without sufficient testosterone levels, it is difficult to form muscles and strength.

Most alcoholic beverages are high in calories. Even light beer can contain about 100 calories. So, if you exercise to lose weight, drinking beer afterwards can actually hinder your process.

"Some people, especially those with a history of seizures, neurological disorders, or heart arrhythmias, need to be very careful," said Dr. Alberto Augsten, a toxicologist from the Memorial Healthcare System.

"When this condition is coupled to alcohol and an increase in physical activity, there can be a dangerous electrolyte imbalance." he explained.

This is double for those who take drugs for chronic conditions. "I would also advise people who take certain drugs, such as benzodiazepine (an example of Xanax), to be careful," added Dr. Augsten.

Please note, when mixed with alcohol, some medicines can cause sedatives. This can be very problematic if your body is tired after exercise.

By understanding the eight points above, hopefully you will be wiser in choosing drinks after exercise. Health and body recovery are much more valuable!

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