The Post-Ride Beer. Should You?
Timing and moderation are important if you don’t want to waylay your recovery. – By Selene Yeager
You don’t need decades of research to tell you that cyclists (and runners and rugby players and other hard-exercising folks) often enjoy a post-workout beer… or two… or well, more. But science does indeed show a connection between exercise and alcohol consumption, with the most active people tossing back more booze than those who exercise less. There are many theories as to why, with some animal studies showing that exercise may cause a “cross tolerance” to alcohol, so it takes more booze to feel the buzz. Or it might reflect the “work hard, play hard,” ethos athletes often share. Whatever the case, while a beer or two after a hard ride or race won’t likely wreck your recovery and subsequent gains, there are ample reasons to turn off the tap before it becomes a binge.
RELATED: Nine Healthy Reasons to Drink Beer
As evidence, we turned to alcohol and exercise researcher Evelyn Parr, Ph.D., of the Centre for Exercise and Nutrition at Australian Catholic University to explain what happens to your body when you chase down a hard ride with one (or more) too many.