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Alcohol and Exercise

• What are the effects of alcohol on exercise and fitness?

• What are the recommended guidelines for alcohol consumption

• How to calculate units• How to cut down

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• More people are taking part in sport

• NHS figures show that ½ of those who drank exceeded the lower risk guidelines

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Effects of alcohol on exercise and fitness

• Drinking alcohol post exercise can undo all the good work you have done

• Alcohol can reduce the amount of fat you are able to burn by exercising

• Alcohol gets in the way of the nutritional benefits of the healthy meals you eat

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• Alcohol is a diuretic and can lead to dehydration especially if combined with sweating

• When your body is breaking down alcohol it can’t produce as much glucose so you will have less energy

• Coordination, dexterity, concentration and reactions could be adversely affected also

• Long term effects of drinking above the recommended guidelines include heart disease, liver disease and cancer

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Daily unit guidelines

• Government recommended daily alcohol intake:

• 2-3 units per day for women• 3-4 units per day for men

• How to calculate a unitVolume mls /1000x % abv Eg a 175 ml glass of 13% wine = 175/1000x13=2.275units

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How to cut down

• Drinking above the recommended lower risk guidelines can result in the body building up a tolerance

• Taking days off from drinking can lower or ‘reset’ your tolerance, so it becomes easier to cut back

• For more facts and to assess your drinking drinkaware.co.uk – understanding your drinking