In a recent statement that has caught the attention of fitness enthusiasts and bodybuilders worldwide, Arnold Schwarzenegger has addressed the growing concerns about alcohol consumption and muscle growth.
His message? Do not panic and do not go overboard. The Austrian Oak referenced a widely circulated study that is creating havoc in the bodybuilding circle. The study focuses on the link between alcohol and muscle growth and suggests that consuming alcohol after a workout could reduce muscle growth by 25%.
Fitness lovers are always concerned about muscle development because it is one of the primary reasons for working out and putting in all of the hard work and effort. However, Schwarzenegger was quick to point out that the muscle reduction was in participants who drank a significantly large amount of alcohol.
“Although the study did find that boozing after your workout can potentially reduce muscle growth by 25 percent, the participants who saw a reduction in muscle protein synthesis had twelve (12!) drinks after their workout.”
The bodybuilder further emphasized that consuming alcohol infrequently is okay and is unlikely to derail your muscle-building efforts. “Based on what we know, if you infrequently have a drink (and limit how much alcohol you consume), you can still build muscle effectively. ”
Schwarzenegger‘s advice aligns with the general consensus in the fitness community: and as a result, moderation is the word that defines it. He joked, “while we’re not suggesting you replace your post-workout protein with tequila, there’s also a good reason to… have the occasional drink.” And this should be taken into account along with training, when planning a healthy diet daily.
The takeaway? Balance and moderation seem once again to be the underlying key as is normally the case with most things that concern the field of fitness and health. Even if the Austrian Oak did not mind suggesting occasional drinking, this does not mean he was always in favor of the consumption of beverages, as they can affect other bodily functions.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Unveils How Alcohol Affects Sleep
When a study found that alcohol has a significant impact on sleep, Arnold Schwarzenegger became interested in it and shared his own observations with his ‘village’ members. He elaborated on the research, which focused on recreational drinking.
One group of individuals consumed 9 to 12 drinks each week and drank three beverages for around an hour before going to bed for three nights in a row. There was also another group for whom the scientists provided a mixer that included no alcohol and served as a placebo.
The findings revealed that people who drank alcohol spent less time in REM sleep had lower sleep quality, and had less deep sleep than those who drank the placebo.
The Terminator star emphasizes the importance of timing when consuming alcohol, advising his followers to drink a few hours before going to bed, as the body takes an hour to burn off the beverage.
