Alright, folks, gather 'round! I've got some news for you that might tickle your taste buds but also burst your bubble. Brace yourselves, because it's time to debunk some long-standing myths about alcohol, aging and health.
I know, I know, we've been told for years that a couple of drinks a day can be good for us. But guess what? Turns out, that's not the case. Say goodbye to that happy hour mentality, my friends...
You see, a team of Canadian researchers went all out and reviewed a whopping 107 different studies on alcohol use. They dug deep, tracking data from over 4.8 million people. And guess what? They found that those old studies were flawed. Can you believe it?
Let me give you a quick rundown of their findings regarding alcohol and aging, just to set the record straight:
Having two drinks each day does NOT reduce your risk of death compared to those who don't drink at all. Yep, that's right. No health benefits there, my friends. It's not what we used to think.
And it gets worse. Ladies who down 25 or more grams of alcohol per day and gents who gulp down 45 or more grams per day? Well, they have a higher risk of death from any cause. Yikes!
Now, let's talk about the relationship between alcohol and your fitness goals. Trust me, alcohol has always been a problematic devil when it comes to your health and fitness. Here's why:
It messes with your recovery time after workouts. It raises cortisol, lowers testosterone, and slows down protein synthesis. Add to this the complicated chemistry of a body as it ages, and yep, it's like throwing a wrench in the gears of your progress.
Booze can make you ravenously hungry which can interfere with your carefully planned food choices. That late-night bread and cheese binge after a few drinks? Blame it on the liquor.
Alcohol is just packed with empty calories, my friends. You're basically drinking down those extra pounds.
And brace yourselves for this one – it's linked with unhealthy belly fat. That spare tire around your waist might be a boozy souvenir.
Say goodbye to sweet dreams. Alcohol can disrupt your sleep patterns which can further throw your hunger hormones out of whack. You'll wake up feeling groggy and reaching for all the wrong things in the morning.
Now, I can hear you asking, "Is there any good news, old man?" Well, fear not, my eager-to-learn friends, because here it is: NOW WE KNOW.
Finally, the truth has come to light.
Knowing the full story empowers you to make informed choices for your long-term health. You're not being deprived of the occasional indulgence, but now you have the knowledge to navigate those choices wisely.
Remember, it's the small things you do consistently that have the biggest impact on your health and goals. So, make those smart choices, my brawny buddies and vivacious vixens.
And if you're still struggling to find the right path, don't you worry. Just shoot me an email! I'm sure I've got a program that might just be the perfect fit for you.
Book a call and let's see if we can get you on track to achieving your goals in no time!
Stay strong, my fellow tweenior-citizen, and make it an amazing day!
John
References:
Journal Article: Research on Alcohol Use
Healthline Article: Drinking After Workout
Healthline Article: Alcohol and Weight Loss
