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Depends what you mean by a few drinks
and how often you train! It also depends on how seriously you
take your game. Firstly the reported good points spoken about
alcohol after football:
- May help players socialise as a team,
relax, celebrate, commiserate by drinking together
- It will provide calories e.g. 180-350
kcal per pint beer or lager
- Some types e.g. red wine and stout will
provide some nutrients e.g. iron and B vitamins
- Regular alcohol in small amounts
is good for your heart if you are over 40 (men) or after the
menopause
And the not so good points:
- Damaged muscles and injuries may take
longer to repair
- Alcohol is high in 'empty' calories
with only some drinks providing essential nutrients the
'beer belly' and 'love handles' will still affect the keenest
of players
- Alcohol is a drug and, in large amounts,
it is poisonous
- Binge drinking can seriously harm your
pancreas, with damage to other body parts (liver, heart, brain
and guts) with continued heavy drinking
- The amount good for the heart is regular
small amounts and not large amounts over 1-2 days
- Healthy heart benefits are not seen
in your teens, 20's or 30's and excess may be particularly harmful
for women.
Suggestions:
- R & R first (Rehydrate and
Replete energy stores). Have at least a pint of orange
juice and lemonade and a bite to eat before you go to the bar
- Avoid alcohol if you pick up an injury
- Keep an alcohol diary for a week to
see how much and when you drink
- Limit your weekly intake 21 units
if you're a guy and 14 units if
you're a gal. Do not 'save up all your alcohol
units' and binge. This is dangerous and can cause serious
damage to your health e.g. to your pancreas
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