chocolate milk an ideal “recovery drink”

I first heard this from Dr. Bill Sands. His recommendation came from research at the University of Utah.

I now drink chocolate milk myself after strenuous exercise.

But this was great news for coaches and parents of young athletes who can be very picky about what they eat and drink.

…the study by the scientists from Indiana University was supported in part by the Dairy and Nutrition Council. …

The small group of fit athletes who took part in the study were asked to work out strenuously on a stationery bicycle, then drink low-fat chocolate milk, a fluid-replacement drink like Gatorade and a carbohydrate replacement drink like Endurox R4. A few hours later, they were asked to cycle again until they reached exhaustion.

The test was repeated three times — once with each kind of drink — and the data showed that the cyclists were able to go between 49 and 54 percent longer on the second stint after drinking chocolate milk than when they drank the carbohydrate drink. The difference between the milk and the fluid-replacement drink was not significant. …

The milk folks tout their product as a less-costly and healthier alternative to the more traditional energy drinks.

Study: Chocolate milk good for athletes

Chocolate Milk: The New Sports Drink? – CBS