Alcohol and metabolism

[suzbyrd]

Does anyone know the effects that alcohol has on the metabolism. I've looked through some websites that say a beer or glass of wine actually slows the metabolism. Is this true? I've been known to drink a few beers and thought the last thing I need is to slow my metabolism down. Any info would be appreciated.

[alpinerabbit]

All I know is it adds loads of calories, and while breaking down alcohol your liver is less able to break down fat, which accumulates. I'd have to do a websearch for the specifics. But both the above are not something you want.

On the other hand, I really enjoy wine, and beer, and I'll live with the consequences.

Not to be recommended, but alcohol is also a form of doping, especially for sprints towards the end of a long race, be it in cycling (I have read they give mixes of coke and bubbly to teenage racers for sprints) or cross-country skiing (my dad's secret weapon in military competitions when he was young - a beer on the last 5 k. There was no penalty.). It desensitizes a bit and thus makes it easier to go all-out (have noticed myself when riding home after a night out).

[Grog]

Champagne is supposed to be a great disinhibitor for going down high mountains.

I know nothing about the effect on matabolism though...

[tattiefritter]

Not sure if it slows the metabolism down or just gives the liver something to work on at the expense of other bodily functions. I don't think the odd couple of beers a week or so will make that much difference to your metabolism - crash dieting, now thats a metabolism destroyer!

I can't drink alcohol and ride, not even a tiny little bit, it just seems to make my legs feel like bits of chewed string, I think my body makes processing the alcohol a higher priority than fuelling the muscles. Drinking a little too much the night before also drops my blood sugar noticeably the next day.

Like AlpineRabbit I like beer and wine so live with the consequences.

[lph]

I can't drink alcohol and ride a bike either - my legs go all wobbly and weak.

Funny thing is I can dance (we're talking energetic, Jane Fonda aerobic dancing here!) forever, and I can rock climb after having a few drinks. My arms and legs are a bit wobbly, but I don't really care

[alpinerabbit]

I also get wobbly muscles sometimes, but then again I get the "killer instinct".

I notice a single beer after riding - it shoots into my muscles and makes them burn. But in a nice way it's the reward for having biked hard