Can beer be considered a valuable source of carbs for post- training refueling?

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June 14, 2007

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Can beer be considered a valuable source of carbs for post- training refueling?

— Marc
Montreal, Quebec

fitness answer

Marc,
Nice try, but no. The dehydrating impact of alcohol trumps the benefits from the carbohydrate, and it's also important to realize that alcohol itself is primarily metabolized to fatty acids rather than to usable carbohydrate energy. Yes, it originated as carbohydrate—grains, grapes, corn, whatever—but now it's alcohol and your body treats it differently. There's actually not much usable carbohydrate energy in beer or wine.

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Now, that doesn't mean that athletes have to avoid alcohol at all times. A beer or glass of wine with dinner or while watching the game isn't going to set your training back. Alcohol right after a big workout isn't going to help you recover for tomorrow's training, however. Immediately post-workout, you should go for a carbohydrate- rich recovery drink that contains electrolytes then, consume a full meal within about an hour to take full advantage of the “glycogen window” that enables you to replenish your carbohydrate stores rapidly. If you want to have a beer later that evening, be my guest, but wash it down with a full pint glass of water.

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Founder, CEO, and president of Carmichael Training Systems, Chris Carmichael is the personal coach to seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong. In 2004 he was awareded the USA Cycling Lifetime Achievement Award and was inducted into the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame in May 2003. He's been honored as the United States Olympic Committee's Coach of the Year and athletes under his tutelage have won 33 Olympic, World Championships, and Pan American Games. He is the author of the New York Times Bestseller "Chris Carmichael's Food For Fitness: Eat Right to Train Right" and "The Ultimate Ride," and co-author of "The Lance Armstrong Performance Program," with Lance Armstrong. Carmichael coaches a host of elite athletes including Discovery Channel rider and four-time Olympian George Hincapie and World Record Swimmer Ed Moses.