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John Abraham trains 6–7 days a week, focusing on a different muscle group each day, but he swears his abs are made in the kitchen. With a pescetarian diet rich in egg whites and lentils, and with zero alcohol or sugar, he treats his body like a temple. In a recent conversation with podcaster Ranveer Allahabadia, the Tehran actor shared the secrets to his well-built body. When asked what his main fitness principles are, Abraham revealed:
“I would like to say one thing to youngsters: no drugs. Second, any intoxicating substance, take it in limitation. If you are drinking alcohol, I am a teetotaler. I like champagne once a year, just a little, to celebrate. But mental discipline is very important. I go to the gym every day. I have been doing this for 34 years,” he told the host.
Agreeing with Abraham’s claims, Dr Madhu Nahar, director, internal medicine, Paras Health, Udaipur, said that drinking or taking intoxicants while on a fitness journey can be significantly detrimental to health. “Alcohol impairs protein synthesis, which is essential for muscle repair and growth. Binge drinking can delay the recovery process after a workout, potentially leading to slower muscle gains,” he said.
“Minimising or cutting out alcohol completely isn’t just a fitness hack; it’s a transformative lifestyle choice that can profoundly impact your journey to better health and fitness. By eliminating alcohol, you’re not only reducing your calorie intake, but you’re also enhancing your sleep quality, hydration levels, and nutritional intake,” Dr Dipak Patade, consultant physician, Adhikari Lifeline Multispeciality Hospital, Palghar, told indianexpress.com.
Since intoxicants are diuretic in nature, he said, they cause increased urination and dehydration, and dehydrated muscles are more prone to injury and may not perform optimally during workouts. According to Dr Nahar, binge drinking can impair the absorption of essential nutrients, including vitamins and minerals needed for muscle development. This can hinder your body’s ability to utilise nutrients from your diet.
Alcohol and drugs can disrupt hormone balance, including testosterone, which plays a key role in muscle building, he said, adding that elevated cortisol levels (a stress hormone) from binge drinking can also hinder muscle growth. Alcoholic beverages are often high in empty calories, which can lead to weight gain and reduce the definition of muscle mass.
Staying hydrated, maintaining a balanced diet, and allowing your body sufficient time to recover can help mitigate the negative impact of intoxicants on muscle development. “However, the best approach for muscle building is to limit alcohol consumption and intoxicants, and prioritise a healthy lifestyle,” said Dr Nahar.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
