The Benefits of Chocolate Milk Post Exercise
Chocolate milk is not just a beverage for kids anymore. Research has found that fat-free chocolate milk will beat out carbohydrate sports drinks at helping to rebuild and refuel muscles after exercise. “It’s not just a dessert item, but it’s very healthy, especially for endurance athletes.” (William Lunn, PhD, an exercise scientist at the University of Connecticut).
The Facts
The combination of carbohydrates and protein in low-fat chocolate milk appears to be “just right” for refuelling weary muscles. Additionally, drinking fat-free chocolate milk led to a higher concentration of glycogen, or muscle fuel, in muscles 30 and 60 minutes after exercise, compared with the sports drink. Replenishing glycogen after exercise helps future performance, Lunn says.
So next time you reach for a bright coloured sports drink for replenishment after your workout, consider drinking up some chocolate milk. Athletes should consider it an inexpensive nutritional alternative to engineered sports beverages for help with post-workout recovery.
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