Chocolate milk is better than sports drinks for post exercise recovery

In a new study, the researchers of Shahid Saadougi University in Yazd Iran, it was found that chocolate milk is effective than sports drinks after post-exercise recovery. After an intense workout, there will be a rapid loss in the fluids and electrolytes. Also, the recovery of muscles takes time, and it is where the sports drinks or the placebo nutrition free drinks come in to picture. These energy drinks play a crucial role in personal recovery and gently replaces the lost fluids and electrolytes.

In the current study, researchers examined the data from 12 small studies that studied the effect of chocolate drinks on the markers of exercise recovery compared to placebo beverages or sports drinks. The researchers studied the recovery markers like heart rate, lactic acid levels, the length of the time taken for exhaustion and the presence of an enzyme called Creatine kinase in the blood which rises during intense activity.

In the current study, the scientists subjected 150  athletes to exercise tests like intense cycling and running.  The team then studied the recovery time. The outcome of the study was rather surprising. The team found that drinking chocolate drink not only lengthened the time of exhaustion but also displayed a significant increase in the recovery markers. Drinking chocolate milk lengthened the time of exhaustion longer than 1 minute when compared to placebo nutrition beverages and 6 minutes longer than sports drinks.

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Also, lactic acid levels which are an indication of physical exertion are lower in chocolate drinkers compared to those that drink sports drinks or other placebo nutrition free beverages. Chocolate milk is composed of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, flavonoids, electrolytes and vitamins and hence aids in quick recovery. The sports drinks although feature carbohydrates and electrolytes, but are devoid of proteins. Apart from chocolate milk, there are also other options available such as smoothies, cereals with milk or soup that can provide necessary nutrients.

The Research study is published in the journal Nature.

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