Chocolate Milk Can Be Good For You, Too

The specialist medical publication International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism has come out with a surprising report. Scientists compared the restorative effects of chocolate milk, a fluid replacement drink (Gatorade), and a carbohydrate replacement drink (Endurox). Nine male trained cyclists did an interval workout followed by 4 hours’ recovery and then an exercise to exhaustion. A restorative drink was taken immediately and again 2 hours after the interval training - then the time to exhaustion, heart rates, and total work done were measured. Each cyclist took one of the drink types at different sessions, separated by a week.

The time to exhaustion and the total work done were significantly greater for chocolate milk and for Gatorade than for Endurox; the men cycled about 50% longer after chocolate milk and Gatorade than after Endurox, and did about 50% more work.

The scientists who did this study say that “chocolate milk contains an optimal carbohydrate to protein ratio, which is critical for helping refuel tired muscles after strenuous exercise . . .” Is it relevant that the costs of the study were supported in part by the Dairy and Nutritional Council?