Should you eat before a run or head out on empty.
9 Swap sparkling wine for
A runners guide to the Nordic diet
Hands up if you’ve ever planned to head out for an early morning run, only to end up having one too many drinks the night before? Now, we’re not saying that alcohol can’t be enjoyed as part of a healthy training routine, but if you’re looking for a way to enjoy a drink without copping any of the negative side effects, there are more non-alcoholic drinks than ever to choose from – and no, we're not talking about electrolytes.
Or maybe you've ditched the booze and gone Sober for October, and are looking for some fun alcohol-free alternatives to enjoy? Either way, we’ve rounded up some of our tried and tested favourites below, so you don’t have to choose between having another tipple or chasing down that PB – cheers!
The best non-alcoholic drinks: healthy and delicious
These are our favourite alcohol-free drinks, at a glance. Keep scrolling for our nutritionist-approved tips on how to enjoy them.
Does alcohol affect running performance?
Drinking can have a number of effects on the body. When it comes to running specifically, it can compromise sleep and temporarily reduce your body’s ability to store glycogen, which is vital for endurance. It could also make you more prone to injury, as alcohol can lead to higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which slows down the repair process.
And while many of us enjoy a post-race beer or two, did you know that alcohol can affect the post-run recovery period? Muscles grow and recover from exercise by a process called muscle protein synthesis, but an Australian study found that drinking alcohol reduces the rate of MPS, slowing recovery.
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