Give That Man A Beer! Alcohol And You!

Aaaaaahhhh! A night out with the boys….. Make merriment, throw in a jug or two, have that tequila pop with the accompaniment of great music. Sounds fun isn’t it? But do you know what that beer or tequila is doing to you? Alcohol, hic, is one of the worlds oldest drugs alongside, perhaps nicotine. It has many effects on the body, some good, but mostly destructive. It supposedly serves to relax and provide a source of enjoyment. It may even have some beneficial effects, such as a blood thinning action beneficial to the cardiovascular system. That is why some tout it as good to have a glass of wine now and then.

"Another Beer Please!"

Alcohol is classed medically as a central nervous system depressant, causing the brain to relax and inhibitions to decrease. That is why people react in more exaggerated manners when they are intoxicated since their inhibitions are down and sometimes displaying foolish behaviors that they will never even think of when they are sober.

Muscle co-ordination is impaired. Thoughts are incoherent. Speeches are slurred. Over intoxication can even cause coma and death. Alcohol is especially destructive to bodybuilders as it interferes with muscle recovery, protein synthesis, hydration, motivation, and nutrient intake. In short, it not only restrict your muscular gain, it impedes it.

However, not to take the fun out of those that imbibe in alcohol, a drink occasionally and not taken excessively is a nice way to relax and socialize. I know. I do indulge. But if you are a teetotaler, perhaps its better for you to stay that way.

Alcohol is water soluble and is metabolized primarily by the liver. That meant that the liver is taking the brunt of the poison and that is why many alcoholics suffer from liver diseases. My dad passed on with just one of those diseases.

Its rapid absorption will inebriate the part of brain responsible rational thought. You get fuzzy woozy and talk in circles incoherently and your memory lapses so much that you may not even remember what you said or did in the drunken stupor. In the meantime, brain cells are destroyed!

Even a small amount of alcohol will have an instant effect on your ability to control your emotions and judgment. Since you are unable to command these faculties, a larger amount of alcohol will make you lose control of your good sense and violent and emotional outbursts may follow. Think of the drunken brawl or being a little more adventurous with the other sex that will put you behind bars or in a hospital emergency ward. Since it is also a depressant, sometimes it can get you so depressed that your emotion is so much affected until you make collapse crying or emotionally inconsolable which again may lead to some actions of which you may regret. Don't live with embarrassment all your life.

Over time, if a sufficient amount of alcohol is consumed, some brain receptors become accustomed to a certain amount of alcohol and more is required to get the same depressing and intoxicating effect. That means you build up tolerance and need to drink more to get the same "high" which means more poison you will be drinking and more money gone down as urine. At this stage, you may have become an alcoholic and may experience anxiety, tremors, disorientation, and hallucinations when you are not drinking. You may then get over intoxicated and death may be a consequence of the over indulgence.

Ok...I shall not scare you drinkers out there anymore because I am now gonna terrify you!

Alcohol is particularly detrimental for athletes. Focus, performance, recovery and rebuilding are all affected. What's worse, its effects can linger on for days. With its effect still affecting you, you will :-

• Decrease strength
  
  
• Gain Fats easily (your body burn alcohol first and do not burn anything else such as fats and carbs which in turn convert to fats)
  
  
• Suppresses male hormones testosterones ( so your muscles and male features suffers)
  
  
• Impair reaction time
  
  
• Increases estrogen, a female hormone ( you develop breasts instead of pecs or what body builders called "bitch tits")
  
  
• Impair balance and eye/hand coordination
  
  
• Impair fine motor and gross motor coordination
  
  
• Increase fatigue
  
  
• Interfere with body temperature regulation
  
  
• Cause dehydration: ( think wrinkles, dry skin, thick yellowish smelly urine)
  
  
• Deplete aerobic capacity and negatively impact endurance for up to 48 hours after the last drink (meaning your workout suffers and you can't get the result you want)
  
  
• Impact cellular repair ( your muscle can't grow)
  
  
• Impacts the cardiovascular system
  
  
• Disrupt sleep (your body cannot recover from the stresses of the day and disruption of sleep will inhibit the release of growth hormones much needed for your muscles to grow)
  
  
• Cause vitamin and mineral depletion ( you will be short of essential nutrient and your immunity system will be weak and you will age more rapidly)

There are many many more destruction alcohol has for you. I shall stop here now as it is not nice to terrify you lest I be branded as a terrorist!!

Bottoms up, anyone? SFO

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