Chocolate may seem to be only a guilty pleasure. It tastes too good to be healthy, right? Chocolate made headlines last year when a study suggested that men who eat chocolate may live longer. Dark chocolate contains healthy antioxidants, called flavonoids. Well, chocolate's back making headlines, this time in the form of chocolate milk.
You know that milk helps build strong bones, but here's something you may not know: It also helps build strong muscles. A recent study has shown that chocolate milk may be an ideal drink after a hard workout. In that study, cyclists exercised and depleted levels of glycogen. After a four-hour period of recovery, they pedaled to exhaustion. Subjects cycled 49% longer following chocolate milk replacement than carbohydrate replacement, and their total work output was 57% greater. In another study, chocolate milk was shown to be superior to carbohydrate replacement for muscle recovery following strength training.
Chocolate milk has an ideal 4:1 ratio of carbohydrates to protein. The protein and carbs complement each other. Carbohydrates replace the energy lost during exercise, but can't rebuild muscle. On the other hand, protein can help repair the muscles, but can't refuel them. Chocolate milk is better for recovery than plain milk because of the extra sugars it contains.
Milk is 90% water, so it is hydrating. Milk also has more nutrients than water or simple carbohydrate drinks. It contains calcium, potassium, riboflavin and other B-vitamins. You can take 16 oz. of low-fat chocolate milk within an hour of working out. This will provide about 52 grams of carbohydrates and 16 grams of protein. Fat and total calories will vary depending upon whether skim, 1%, or 2% milk is used.
Chocolate milk is inexpensive, easy to find or mix yourself, and, best of all, tastes great!
From UT Health Northeast
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