Chances are you haven’t had chocolate milk since you were a kid, but if you’re serious about getting the most out of your workouts, then it’s worth another look. Physiologist Joel Stager from the Human Performance Laboratory at Indian University did a study which looked at the effectiveness of chocolate milk as a post-workout recovery drink. He compared it with other major competitors like Gatorade, Powerade, Muscle Milk, Water, and protein drinks. Chocolate Milk held up surprisingly well after a workout.
Stager’s study, published in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, identifies chocolate milk as a near-perfect combination of both protein and carbohydrates. After a tough workout or a long bout as an endurance athlete, your body seeks replenishment. Where chocolate milk shines is not only in its ability to rehydrate you due to its high water content, but also in its ability to replenish your muscles – something that water can’t claim.
“Chocolate milk provides carbohydrate replenishment to your muscles – something they can metabolize” – says one of the study’s main researchers.
Perfect for endurance athletes.
Chocolate milk will benefit endurance athletes and weight lifters the most. These activities heavily stress the muscles and require a good deal of protein and carbohydrates to allow the muscle to properly recover and grow after exercise. These types of athletes also need a great deal of carbohydrates, protein, and calories in order to perform optimally. Chocolate milk fits the bill perfectly.
Two completely separate studies on chocolate milk done at the University of Texas Austin, showed that it was not only great for recovery, but it was good for body composition as well.
“Better body composition in the form of more muscle and less fat, improved times while working out and overall better physical shape than peers who consumed sports beverages that just contained carbohydrates.” – Dr. John Ivy, lead researcher in the study, said of chocolate milk.
His recent studies also showed that chocolate milk was indeed giving athletes better performance than typical sports drinks, both in speed and power. Ivy says he isn’t sure what exactly it is about chocolate milk that provides athletes with these amazing benefits, but he thinks it’s to do the naturally occurring carbohydrate/protein combination in chocolate milk.
What About Regular Milk?
A common question I get about this topic is with regards to regular milk. People think that if chocolate milk provides such great benefits, then surely regular milk (with less sugar) must provide equal or even better benefits. In fact, it doesn’t. It is this extra sugar (carbohydrates) that make chocolate milk better for recovery than regular milk.
If you’re looking for a change in your post-workout recovery drink, go ahead and give chocolate milk a try. I bet you won’t be disappointed!
