While alcohol has been part and parcel of many people’s after-work routine and is considered normal when taken in moderation, it may be a different story when you’re involved in a serious fitness regime. If this you, then there are a few things that you need to know before you go out for that couple of beers later tonight.

Research has proven that even small amounts of alcohol will increase muscular endurance and the output of strength. Don’t rejoice yet. These types of benefits are very short lived. After 20 minutes or so, the monster begins to rear its ugly head. All of the negative side effects associated with alcohol will easily outweigh any possible benefits that it can have. No matter how you look at it, alcohol is a poison that can really harm your body if you aren’t careful.

Alcohol can affect your strength, endurance, aerobic capability, recovery time, ability to metabolize fat, and even your muscle growth as well. Alcohol will also have an effect on your nervous system and brain. If you use it long term, you can cause severe deterioration of your central nervous system. Even with short term use, nerve muscle interaction can be reduced resulting in a remarkable loss in strength.

Once alcohol reaches the blood cells, it can and will probably cause small amounts of damage. With alcohol users, inflammation of the muscle cells is a very common thing. Over periods of time, some of these cells that have been damaged can die which will result in less functional muscle contractions. Drinking alcohol will also leave you with more soreness of your muscles after you exercise, which means that it will take you a lot longer to recuperate.

The short of it: If you are serious about your fitness goals or training for an event designed to test your physical limits, alcohol is not your friend. Best stay away.