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Health and Fitness: Refuel with chocolate milk

Kyler Crouse
Special to the Tribune

According to the researchers at Kean University in New Jersey, “the ideal recovery beverage would provide both the carbohydrate with proteins needed for muscle and the fluid needed for rehydration, be easily obtained, palatable and well-tolerated.”

A surprising beverage that meets all the criteria is the old time favorite, chocolate milk.

Chocolate milk, in particular low-fat chocolate milk, contains carbohydrates, protein and other nutrients that may aid in recovery. Low-fat chocolate milk’s carbohydrate content is actually similar to that of many common commercial sports drinks. The protein inside milk is a mix of whey and casein. Whey is popular among bodybuilders and athletes because it is quickly absorbed by the body and used primarily after the workout. Casein is another form of protein that differs slightly from whey. It is digested slower by the body and is popular as a night-time protein as the release of amino acids into the bloodstream is slower and spread out over time.



Milk supplies the fast-acting whey that is beneficial immediately after the workout and casein which allows and amino acid concentrations to remain elevated longer after the workout. Low-fat chocolate milk has generated much interest in the sports science community because it is relatively inexpensive, readily available and contains the necessary recovery nutrients.

A recent study, “The effects of low fat chocolate milk on post-exercise recovery in collegiate athletes” put low fat chocolate milk against the popular sports drink Gatorade. The study had 15 men and 11 women soccer athletes in two groups with participant consuming either low-fat chocolate milk or an equal amount of Gatorade after practice. The participates were then asked to perform 20-meter shuttle runs to fatigue. The researchers concluded that, “ No significant differences in run time were reported” and that, “for the men only, there was a trend of increase time to fatigue with the chocolate milk.” The chocolate milk may even be better than Gatorade for delaying fatigue, although much more researcher is needed.



In another study, seven runners were given a cocoa-based protein and carbohydrate drink after a 30-minute downhill run. The group that drank the cocoa-based drink had a significant decrease in perceived soreness 24 to 48 hours after the exercise compared to the group that drank only water.

This lead the author to suggest that, “the antioxidants in the cocoa itself or the combination of the cocoa with carbohydrate and protein may aid in recovery.” The price of many after workout products can be staggering, and considering the science they may not be worth it.

—Kyler Crouse, BS, CSCS, FMS is a personal trainer and strength coach that trains at Sierra Athletic Club and a training center instructor at Barton Memorial Hospital. Crouse specializes in performance enhancement and rehabilitation after injury. Visit http://www.KCstrength.com for more information.


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