What You Should Drink After (and Before) Working Out

My favorite drink on the list:

Beer

Really? YES, Absolutely! Researchers at Granada University in Spain found out something pretty cool a few years ago. When it comes to recovering and rehydrating after a workout, beer is better than water. Spain seems like a pretty cool country. They probably conducted half of the experiment to find that out, took a siesta to make love to their beautiful wives, then another to ravish their beautiful, younger, mistresses. Then they probably rolled a clove cigarette and drank some brandy. Then they finished the study. Probably. Anyway, here’s what they found:

The subjects in the study were asked to run on a treadmill at temperatures of 104°F (40°C) until they were close to exhaustion. Once they had reached the point of giving up, researchers measured their hydration levels, motor skills, and concentration ability.

Half of the subjects were given two half pints of Spanish lager to drink, and the other half were given just water.

Garzon said that the rehydration effection in those who were given beer was “slightly better” than those who were given only water. He also believes that the carbon dioxide in beer helps quench thirst more quickly, and that beer’s carbohydrates replace calories lost during physical exertion.