Neuron: A nerve cell that receives and sends electrical signals over long distances within the body. A neuron receives electrical input signals from sensory cells (called sensory neurons) and from other neurons.
Photo Credit Claudio Beduschi/iStock/Getty Images. If you're looking to build muscle, understand that alcohol consumption can hinder your results in multiple ways. In addition to directly reducing muscle protein synthesis, alcohol can interfere with hormones that are necessary for building muscle. Furthermore, alcohol can decrease important molecules and nutrients that supply the energy required for muscle-building workouts.
Drinking too much alcohol can actually increase your risk for heart disease and stroke, raise blood pressure, contribute to obesity, and increase the levels of fats called triglycerides in the blood. Excessive drinking also can lead to heart muscle disease (cardiomyopathy), irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), and stroke.