Your health: Link between avid exercise, binge drinking

Surprising link

Avid exercisers are careful to stay healthy in all aspects of life, right? You may be shocked to learn that workout warriors are more likely to binge-drink than couch potatoes are, at least according to a 2009 University of Miami study of frequent women exercisers. The March issue of Women's Health says the study found that “the more people exercise, the more they drink — with the most active women consuming the highest amounts every month.”

One possible explanation is that those who consume a lot of liquid calories may feel more compelled to burn more the next morning. Or it may be that women who normally burn a lot of calories may feel more entitled to take in the extra at the bar.

“Exercising stimulates serotonin, which is your natural antidepressant. It makes us feel good. Alcohol has a similar effect — hence, the buzz you get soothes your worries,” according to J. David Glass, a brain chemistry researcher and professor at Kent State University quoted in the magazine. Aside from the obvious dangers, alcohol consumption can be detrimental to your fitness regimen by slowing your recovery time, causing your body to store fat, disturbing your sleep patterns, and depleting your body of water and nutrients.

Know your fat

In the United States, we have been led to believe that fat is bad for us. In some cases (trans fats) it is, but the right fats play an integral role in our health.

Here are a few fat facts, according to The Washington Post.

Ÿ Healthful fat is a concentrated source of energy for the body.

Ÿ It is a building block of cell membranes and hormones.

Ÿ Fat slows absorption of carbohydrates, and other parts of our meals, into our blood.

Ÿ Our bodies can't digest and absorb vitamins A, D, E and K without it.

Ÿ Our brains are partially constructed from healthful fats.

Prefer plant protein

To your body, protein from pork chops looks and acts the same as protein from peanuts, according to the Harvard Medical School newsletter. What's different is the protein “package” — the fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that come along with protein.

Two Harvard studies add to a growing body of evidence that plant protein sources are a better bet for your long-term health.

Instead of having bacon and eggs for breakfast, a burger for lunch and steak for dinner, getting more protein from plants may help you steer clear of heart disease and live longer.