Is beer a good recovery drink?

Good???...I would say yes
Ideal???...most likely not

Beer is good for everything.

Doctor's orders?

I'm not asking if it's as good as Endurox.  (although it sure as hell tastes better!)

but, is it an OK way to get some simple carbs into your system? 

Damn- somebody commission a study on this!  



Edited by morey000 2010-06-25 8:14 PM

I used it after my track workout last night and it surely made me feel better.  And tonight I'm using it as a carb load for tomorrow's long run.  With water on the side of course. 

I used to know a guy whose hobby was reading primary lit on nutrition science.  He had a masters, worked in the field, and was a competitive power lifter (and D-1 scholarship athlete). In short, he knew his stuff IMO.  He said beer as a recovery drink was not good.

OTOH, I've known more than one person (myself included) who was having a bad race who got the free beer at mi 3, felt almost instantly better, and enjoyed the next 7.

Maybe it's not so good for recovery, but instead we should be putting beer in our water bottles on the bike.

Limited data says yes.  Common sense says no.  Haha.

I don't like the guy to which you refer.

I have a friend who's a nutritionist (MS RD)  and a triathlete, and I sent her an email- so we'll see what she has to say. I'll post her answer.

In the meantime-  I want to think positive thoughts. 

It's simple math.  A chick that is a 4 can be a 10 after a 6 pack.  That's just how much it enhances your eyes, just imagine what it can do for the rest of your body.

After reading a bunch of posts, this thread finally made me want to post.  Someone please give me some scientific evidence that says beer is good for recovery. Hi, my name is Nick, and I miss beer.

I know people are kidding, but here is a serious answer.... alcohol is metabolized differently than regular food is in your body (it is prioritized).  So, the recovery your body would normally be doing processing protein and carbohydrate (and replenishing your glycogen) is going to be placed on hold while your body metabolizes the alcohol.

(I am having a glass of wine right now, full disclosure)  But I also did my workout at 10AM this morning. 


Edited by DMW 2010-06-25 8:50 PM

While not ideal, a beer or two is not likely to have enough alcohol to be much of a negative. You didn't mention where you cramped or in what event, but it's doubtful the beer had anything to do with it. Most likely it was lack of fitness in that particular event possibly coupled with pushing too hard in the preceding event.

I train hard so I can enjoy beer while grilling steak and wine while consuming it. And if I am thirsty after a workout......NO GUILT!

Edited by Oldred 2010-06-25 10:04 PM

On that note, my husband loves beer (and makes it), so I just tell him to try to wait until at least two hours after his workout and recovery meal.  I don't have any science on that, but basically, waiting until outside the initial recovery nutrition window seems like a logical place to start.  The good news is that your body metabolizes alcohol pretty quickly (because it is putting everything else on hold).  Of course, he decides whether or not to listen based on what he is training for and how often he is training.  That is to say, he didn't drink so much as an after dinner beer while Ironman training, but he did partake over the winter.

And yeah, to the OP, I would agree with donskiman.  Your beer intake probably didn't have much to do with the cramping during the race.  But your energy bar wasn't getting processed like it would have been in the absence of alcohol. 


Edited by DMW 2010-06-26 7:03 AM

“. . . because without beer, things do not seem to go as well.”
Diary of Brother Epp , Capuchin Monastery, Kansas, 1902

He had God on his side....has to be good for you.



 

"Beers not just for breakfast any more"

That's an actual country song! Beer goes with everything!

Depends on the beer for me.  Amstel Light - Yes... Cheap beer - No

This user's post has been ignored.

Edited by trotpntbll 2010-06-26 11:41 AM

you just put beer and the word "light" in the same sentence.



NO MORE BEER FOR YOU!!!!!!

I prefer my protein margarita smoothie instead!

Sorry Newbz but at my age, you got watch every calorie. 

I love this thread - for both the information and the chuckles it's providing me. 

I basically stop drinking when I'm training hard -but do occasionally go for the after workout beer with the group.  (Usually when my husbands baseball games end just as my workout is ending - they always head to the bar after their games so I'll join.)  One thing I know for sure - it sure does taste good when you only drink it once a month or so!!!  And I feel good drinking it after a workout.  (I do try to consume something more nutritionly benificial before the brew though.)

Carry on.

I actually don't drink because I don't really like the taste but I'm just here for the smart-arse comments because it's what I do. 

Beer? It's so-so for recovery
Guiness? THE BEST RECOVERY BEVERAGE EVER.