Booze And Workouts: Beer Vs. Bourbon's Impact

Alcohol is not a healthy choice, but some alcoholic drinks are better for you than others. Beer and spirits have roughly the same health benefits, but beer contains more antioxidants than hard liquor. Beer also contains electrolytes and carbohydrates, which make it the lesser of two evils when compared to spirits. However, beer is high in empty calories and congeners, which are chemical components that contribute to hangovers. Spirits, on the other hand, often have fewer or no carbohydrates, and their pure form has zero carbohydrates, which is beneficial for keeping blood sugar levels stable. So, when it comes to working out, which is worse for you, bourbon or beer?

Bourbon vs beer: which is worse for dehydration?

Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it causes you to urinate more by inhibiting the reabsorption of water, thus increasing your risk of dehydration. The higher the alcohol content, the greater the diuretic and dehydration effect.

Beer typically has an alcohol content of between 3-7% for a 12-ounce glass, while bourbon, a type of liquor, can contain up to 70% alcohol in a single shot. This means that bourbon has a much higher alcohol content than beer and is therefore more likely to lead to dehydration.

However, it's important to consider the amount consumed. Drinking several beers in a short period can result in similar dehydration levels as consuming a single shot of bourbon. Conversely, sipping on one bourbon over an extended period may result in less alcohol intake than drinking three or four glasses of beer.

To minimise dehydration, it's recommended to savour your drink, regardless of whether it's beer or bourbon. Diluting alcoholic beverages with water or drinking water between alcoholic drinks can also help prevent dehydration.

How do they affect muscle growth?

Alcohol can negatively impact muscle growth and recovery. Firstly, alcohol decreases protein synthesis and increases protein degradation, which is essential for building new muscle. Alcohol also inhibits signals to build proteins, allowing for the activation of molecules that cause muscle wasting. In addition, alcohol induces insulin resistance, which is a stimulator of muscle growth and is responsible for the absorption of carbohydrates into muscles. With limited absorption ability, muscle growth and recovery are impaired.

Furthermore, alcohol affects testosterone and cortisol levels, which play a role in muscle growth and recovery. Both acute and chronic ingestion of alcohol lower testosterone levels, which can lead to decreased sperm production and altered production of other reproductive hormones. Alcohol also increases cortisol levels, which can lead to increased tissue breakdown if elevated for long periods.

The amount of alcohol consumed also matters. Research suggests that consuming 0.5g/kg of alcohol or less won't impact muscle recovery following exercise. However, as the amount of alcohol consumed increases, the negative impacts become more pronounced. For example, consuming 1.5g/kg of alcohol decreased muscle protein synthesis by 37%.

Therefore, while moderate alcohol consumption may not completely derail your fitness goals, excessive drinking can certainly impact muscle growth and recovery.

Which is worse for weight gain?

Alcohol is not a healthy choice in general, but some alcoholic drinks are better for you than others. Beer is high in empty calories and congeners, the chemical components that contribute to hangovers. Therefore, beer is likely to be worse for weight gain than other alcoholic drinks.

A pint of beer has around 50% more energy content than a small glass of wine – about 180 calories. However, for moderate drinkers, the differences in weight gain between wine and beer seem to be minimal. A review of studies concluded that neither wine nor beer drinkers tend to put on weight over the short term. However, the longest study only lasted 10 weeks, so minor weight gain may have been missed.

Spirits such as vodka, rum, whiskey, gin, and tequila have zero carbohydrates in their pure form, which is beneficial for preventing blood sugar spikes. However, when mixed with sugary drinks, they take on more calories and carbohydrates.

Red wine is considered healthier than beer due to its antioxidants and polyphenols, which can protect your cells from damage and promote heart health. White wine and rose contain these too, but in smaller quantities.

Overall, if you are concerned about weight gain, it is best to avoid alcohol or consume it in moderation, sticking to drinks with lower alcohol and sugar content.

Which is worse for hangovers?

Hangovers are caused by overindulging on alcohol. While scientists are not entirely sure why we get hangovers, they have several theories. One theory is that hangovers are a form of alcohol withdrawal. Another theory is that hangovers are caused by a buildup of acetaldehyde, a chemical byproduct of processing alcohol, in our blood. Acetaldehyde is stronger than alcohol and can lead to excess sweating, nausea, and vomiting.

The type of alcohol you drink can affect the severity of your hangover. All alcoholic drinks are fermented, producing alcohol and byproducts such as carbon dioxide and congeners. Congeners are chemicals that our bodies cannot process and are found in higher concentrations in darker drinks such as whiskey, red wine, and brandy.

So, which is worse for hangovers, bourbon or beer?

Bourbon is a type of whiskey made from corn and other grains. The fermentation process produces alcohol and congeners, which can be toxic in large amounts. Bourbon has a high concentration of congeners, and research has shown that it can lead to more painful hangovers compared to other drinks such as vodka. In one study, participants who drank bourbon reported a 36% worse hangover than those who consumed vodka.

Beer, on the other hand, has very low levels of congeners. According to Dr. Andrew Waterhouse, an enology professor and wine chemist, "Yeast produces these chemicals during fermentation, and a brewer or winemaker doesn't have a lot of control over the amounts of them, which is why beer has very little amounts."

Therefore, based on the information available, bourbon is likely to be worse for hangovers compared to beer due to its higher concentration of congeners. However, it is important to note that the severity of a hangover depends on various factors, including the amount of alcohol consumed and individual tolerance.

How do they impact your hormones?

Alcohol negatively affects the body's hormones, especially when consumed in large quantities. Here's how bourbon and beer impact your hormones:

Bourbon:

• Bourbon can interfere with the three glands responsible for testosterone production: the hypothalamus, anterior pituitary gland, and testes.
• It can lead to both short-term and long-term testosterone reduction.
• Chronic alcohol misuse damages the Leydig cells in the testes, which play a crucial role in testosterone production.
• It may also disrupt the release of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH).
• Bourbon contains phytoestrogens, which can increase estrogen levels and worsen endometriosis and fibroid symptoms.

Beer:

• Beer contains phytoestrogen and prolactin, which can increase estrogen levels and decrease testosterone levels.
• The hops and barley used in beer production are common sources of these chemicals.
• Beer's high sugar and carbohydrate content can cause a spike in blood sugar levels and cortisol.

Excessive alcohol consumption, whether bourbon or beer, can lead to various health issues, including reproductive deficits, thyroid problems, immune dysfunction, and psychological disorders. Therefore, moderation is key to maintaining hormonal balance.

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