Table of contents:
- Hangover at a glance
- So, can I exercise during a hangover?
- 1. Dehydration
- 2. Lowering blood sugar levels
- 3. Increases the risk of injury
- 4. Extreme fatigue
- 5. Inhibits muscle growth
The most common side effect of a hangover is a hangover. That is why, if you were drunk last night, you should think again about coming to the gym in the morning. The reason is, exercising during a hangover will actually worsen the condition of your body. How did it happen? Find out the answer in this article.
Hangover at a glance
People who are drunk alcohol usually develop a bunch of hangover symptoms that usually appear in the morning or a few hours after being drunk. Signs and symptoms of a hangover include headache, feeling unwell, dizziness, drowsiness, weakness, confusion, and extreme thirst.
Until recently, scientists and doctors did not fully understand the exact causes of a hangover. Even so, experts believe that a hangover is a side effect of an overwhelmed immune system due to alcohol levels that exceed tolerance limits. Most people experience a hangover when they have had the most of the same amount of alcohol at one time.
Someone can just hangover for the whole day. However, this condition generally varies from person to person. The reason is, the severity of the hangover will depend on the level of alcohol in the blood (blood alcohol concentration) as well as how quickly and how much a person drinks alcohol.
So, can I exercise during a hangover?
You may think that exercise can refresh your body and mind after a night's drunkenness. However, exercising during a hangover is not a good idea. In fact, this can be a dangerous thing if you keep doing it. Here are some reasons why exercise during a hangover is not recommended.
1. Dehydration
During a hangover, you are likely to become dehydrated and lack of important minerals in the body such as magnesium and potassium. The reason is, alcohol will increase urine production by inhibiting the work of antidiuretic or vasopressin hormones.
So, the more alcohol you drink, the more urine will be produced. Not to mention that exercise will also make you sweat because your body temperature rises. Well, this is what can make you more prone to dehydration which in turn can worsen your condition.
2. Lowering blood sugar levels
Even more dangerous, drinking alcoholic beverages even if only one glass can lower your blood sugar levels. As a result, this will leave your body feeling weak and at risk of injury.
Not only that, a study says that exercise during a hangover will not be effective at burning calories. The reason is, your body will tend to burn fewer calories during exercise because alcohol limits your muscles' ability to process and use glucose (sugar), which is known as the body's main source of energy.
3. Increases the risk of injury
As mentioned above, a hangover will cause a series of symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, drowsiness, feeling unwell, and various other bad effects. So, these various bad effects will make it difficult for you to concentrate. As a result, your body may not work properly, which puts you at a higher risk of injury.
4. Extreme fatigue
Getting drunk will drain you. Well, the body that is already stressed and exhausted will be even more helpless when you force yourself to exercise in the morning. Remember, forcing yourself to exercise when your body isn't in good shape will not make you feel better. That's why, take a short break before you start your routine the gym back.
5. Inhibits muscle growth
The effects of alcohol on the liver can cause reduced oxygen supply, which can interfere with the production of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP), which is the direct source of energy for muscles. Not only that, it can also cause a decrease in human growth hormone (HGH) levels. These hormones help the body build muscle.
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