Beer and Wine, Feelin' Fine

Beer and wine can be your worst enemy or your best friend.  We all know too much of it can and will sabotage your gut, hence the phrase "beer belly."  However, continuous alcohol abuse will also destroy your gains in the gym by causing your body to turn carbs and sugars into fat.  This will also hinder your body from building muscle.  

The American Heart Association reports that to reap from the benefits of drinking beer/wine without going overboard, it should be consumed in moderation like anything else.  This translates to one-two drinks a day for men and one drink a day for women.  In this case, a drink is 12 oz. beer, 4 oz. wine.  

See how consuming beer/wine in moderation will benefit your diet:

1.  Beer:  Contains vitamin B which aids in lowering risk of heart disease.

2.  Beer:  Suppresses tryptophan, amino acid found in turkey that makes you tired, which means beer gives you an energy boost that can also help you lose weight.

3.  Wine:  Grape skins are full of powerful antioxidants which have anti-aging components that keep your organs young and healthy.

4.  Wine:  These same antioxidants, known as flavonoids, are also known to lower risks of cancers.  

5.  Still, the best added benefit of  beer/wine is that its a positive reinforcement tool to use in your regular diet/workout plan.  Everyone should be rewarded for their hard work, especially if you've been hitting the gym.

Keep in mind, beer/wine do have calories and that should be taken into consideration when structuring your diet.  However, most light beers and wines hit around 100 calories.  Not making too big of a dent, or better yet, bulge on your belly.

Click here for a healthy list of beers. 

And here for more info. on wines.