Study recommends beer to athletes

By Guilherme Cruz

Photo Josh Hedges

A good diet is as important as physical preparation when it comes to professional sports. And, of course, it’s not different when you talk about MMA. However, a study done by specialists in medicine, physiology and nutrition from the University of Granada can make the happiness of the athletes who enjoy a beer to relax. According to the document, which was approved by the Superior Council of Scientific Investigations of Spain, beer helps in the hormonal recovery and immune metabolism after the sport practice in high level, preventing, also, the annoying muscle pain.

For Thales Leites, UFC middleweight fighter, who trains six days a week and enters the octagon at least three times a year, the news was received with surprise. "I didn’t know, but it’s a good news, right?", joked the Jiu-Jitsu black belt, who avoids the consumption of alcoholic drinks when is getting prepared to the fights. "When I’m with fight schedule, I cut the alcohol totally. Two months from the fight, I drink two beers at most, but it’s difficult. I drink socially when I go out, I don’t drink when I'm at home", says Thales, seeing another good side of the study. "This is good, because it seems that it’s a poison and that it will destroy you".

Former Pride and UFC fighter, now manager and coach, Carlos Barreto says that always avoided drinking before the fights. "I like beer, but I always avoided drinking wine or beer during the trainings, only after the competitions to relax, but all very moderate", remembers the fighter, indicating another "villain" in his time of fighter. "My only mistake was the sweet (laughs)". Although controversial, the study highlights that the consumption can’t be excessive. According to the researchers, men can drink until 600ml of beer, while women couldn’t ingest more than 400ml per day.

"Everyone likes a beer to relax and chat with friends, but not exaggerating", warns Thales. "Each one drinks on their limit. This is good news, I don’t see why we can’t drink, even because it has good ingredients for health", says the UFC fighter. With moderation, Carlão also believes that the consumption wouldn’t cause problems. "With these new researches, I think the excess is the big problem. Everything depends on how the guy trains and how it changes his life. If the guy is a ruled person he can do anything, even eat some sweet on the weekend", finished Barreto.