Lots of people wonder if drinking alcohol can hurts their ability to gain muscle. Well the answer is yes!

This will not be a speech against drinking. I'm definitely not against alcohol. I drink myself a few times a month.

But, if you're on a mass building regimen, drinking too much can definitely have a bad impact on your efforts.

Here are 5 ways that alcohol abuse can slow your muscle gains…

#1 It Slows Protein Synthesis

Amino acids have to band together to form proteins. This is protein synthesis. Drinking too much can slow this process down by 20%.

Water and protein are the materials of your muscle, so you see how this is a problem!

#2 It Drops Testosterone

You need plenty of testosterone if you want to maximize your muscle gains!

#3 It Dehydrates You

To break down the liquor, your kidneys have to filter large quantities of water. This can cause major dehydration

Your muscles are about 70% water, so even slight dehydration is a problem.

#4 It Depletes Your Body Of Vitamins And Minerals

Excessive drinking causes vitamins A, C, B, calcium, and other minerals to be drained at fast rates.

This adversely affects many functions within your body, including repair and growth of muscle tissue.

#5 It Causes Fat Storage

Alcohol can also be fattening. For one, the calories contain no value nutritionally. Two, alcohol disrupts your body's Krebs Cycle. The Krebs Cycle has a role in processes that burn fat. Gaining body fat means your muscle will be covered up.

If you want to build muscle fast, monitor your alcohol intake and drink in moderation.

Having some drinks every now and then won't hurt ya too much. If you like to get drunk every weekend, just know that it's probably going to slow down your ability to gain muscle mass.

Before drinking alcohol, drink loads of water, eat a meal high in protein and swallow down a good multi vitamin.

Terrence Banks has a site on how to build muscle and tips on the fastest way to build muscle.