Beer May Be a Better Option Than Water After a Workout

Just finished a hard workout? Before you grab a sports drink or water, you should know that researchers from Granada University in Spain say that having a beer may help you hydrate more efficiently.

Professor Manuel Garzon, a faculty member at Granada University, reported to the Daily Mail the results of a study involving 25 university students over the course of several months. The students were asked to do a rigorous workout on a treadmill in 104 F degree temperatures then asked to drink 16 ounces of lager and as much water as they desired. The other group received only water (as much as they desired).

After drinking the beer, test subjects were asked to complete a number of physical and cognitive tests. Individuals that consumed the beer following a workout performed slightly better than those consuming only water.

This study has been met with skepticism. Alcohol is widely known to be a diuretic, which increases urine output and can in and of itself lead to dehydration. Because beer contains alcohol, consuming beer after a strenuous workout may seem like a bad idea. However, it is important to note that subjects in this study were given only a pint of beer after exercise and it is possible that the concentration of alcohol was not great enough to exacerbate dehydration.

Aside from the fluid that beer provides, the bubbles created by the beer's carbonation may be key in helping quench the thirst more quickly and push fluids through the system more readily than water alone. This is particularly true if water is also consumed after exercising and the level of dehydration is not great.

Along with containing a lot of water, beer also contains vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes which help combat and alleviate dehydration after exercise. The carbohydrates in beer may help replenish lost calories and may increase energy after exercise (which may not be desirable if the goal of the exercise was to burn the calories). While beer gets a bad rap in a lot of cases, it is a fairly healthful beverage (particularly if it is home brewed beer), so it makes sense that it would be viewed as a good recovery beverage after a workout.

Hydrating after a workout is very important. Individuals who are dehydrated can suffer from light-headedness, headaches, nausea and chills. If dehydration becomes severe, low blood pressure, seizures, or fainting may occur and medical treatment may become necessary.

To many, this research will be a great reason to crack open a cold beer after a hard workout.