Some men like to drink alcohol before exercising, thinking that it can make them excited and more passionate during exercise. However, this practice is not only detrimental to health, but also has many disadvantages. Therefore, it is strongly recommended not to drink alcohol before exercise.
Firstly, alcohol initially causes short-term excitement in the cerebral cortex, manifested as excessive talking, emotional excitement, and restlessness. Then it transitions into a longer period of inhibition, with symptoms of delayed response and drowsiness. At this time, the brain functions in an unstable state, leading to decreased discernment, attention, and judgment, as well as compromised balance and coordination during physical activity. If exercise is performed in this state, the cerebral cortex will have to "forcefully work" to function, which impairs brain function and increases the risk of accidents.
Secondly, alcohol can increase heart rate, oxygen consumption by the heart muscle, and blood pressure, and can induce cardiac arrhythmia, thereby increasing the burden on the heart. If exercise is performed after consuming alcohol, it further increases the burden on the heart muscle and causes damage to the heart.
Furthermore, alcohol can contribute to muscle fatigue. Drinking alcohol can cause muscle relaxation and decrease muscle tension. During vigorous muscle movement, the oxygen demand increases rapidly, leading to insufficient oxygen supply and the production of a large amount of lactic acid, which causes fatigue in the body. Alcohol further accelerates the production and accumulation of lactic acid while slowing down its elimination.
In addition, after consuming alcohol, the liver has to process the alcohol, which increases the blood supply to the liver. The gastrointestinal tract also experiences congestion due to alcohol stimulation and accumulates a portion of the blood supply. If exercise is performed after drinking, the body will need to mobilize a large amount of blood to the muscular system, reducing blood supply to the liver and gastrointestinal tract. This is not conducive to liver detoxification and impairs the function of the gastrointestinal tract.
