This will not be a lecture about the values of not drinking. I’m not anti alcohol at all. I like to drink myself sometimes.

But, if you’re on a muscle building program, drinking too much alcohol will definitely have a negative impact on your efforts.

Here are 5 ways that drinking alcohol can slow your muscle gains…

#1 It Slows Protein Synthesis

Amino acids have to band together to form proteins. This is called protein synthesis. Drinking large amounts of alcohol can slow this process down by about 20%.

Your muscles are made of water and protein, so you see how this can be a problem!

#2 It Drops Testosterone

You need maximum testosterone production if you want to maximize your muscle gains!

#3 It Dehydrates You

To break down the alcohol, your kidneys must filter large amounts of water. This can cause major dehydration

Your muscles are about 70% water, so even slight dehydration is a problem.

#4 It Depletes Your Body Of Vitamins And Minerals

Excessive drinking causes vitamins A, C, B, calcium, and other minerals to be drained at fast rates.

This affects a lot of functions within your body, including processes that help repair and grow muscle tissue.

#5 It Causes Fat Storage

Alcohol can also be fattening. For one thing, the calories are empty and contain no nutritional value. Two, alcohol disrupts the Krebs Cycle. The Krebs Cycle has a role in processes that burn fat. Body fat will cover up muscles you worked hard to build.

If you want to build muscle fast, monitor your alcohol intake and drink in moderation.

Having some drinks now and then won’t hurt you very much. If you like to get drunk every weekend, just know that it’s probably going to slow down your ability to gain muscle mass.

Before you begin drinking, drink a lot of water, have some extra vitamins and minerals and eat a meal rich in protein.

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3. Alcoholism and Drug Addiction in High School