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Should Triathletes Get Liquored-Up?

Thursday, 16 January 2014 06:10

(Great photo by Delly Carr)

By Pip Taylor (triathlon.competitor.com - Aug. 2012)

Research shows that in moderation, alcohol, particularly red wine, does carry some health benefits (in wine, it’s heart-healthy antioxidants). Formal recommendations for consumption are one drink per day for women and two for men, but it’s important to remember that everyone metabolises and tolerates alcohol differently. Some other common alcohol-related queries I hear from triathletes:  ...

Q: What are your guidelines for drinking alcohol?
A: Research shows that in moderation, alcohol, particularly red wine, does carry some health benefits (in wine, it’s heart-healthy antioxidants). Formal recommendations for consumption are one drink per day for women and two for men, but it’s important to remember that everyone metabolizes and tolerates alcohol differently. Click on the tabs on the left for some other common alcohol-related queries I hear from triathletes.

Q: Will it make me fat?
A: Alcohol is relatively high in calories (7 calories per gram in pure alcohol). For the athlete looking to trim body fat, cutting out alcohol is perhaps the easiest way to achieve desired results on the scale. However, for the triathlete who trains well and eats well most of the time, the occasional glass won’t detrimentally affect body weight. READ MORE