Replace Sports Drink with Chocolate Milk: Researcher

Chocolate milk is better than regular sports drink, according to a study.

A research led by Joel Stager from the Indiana University found that swimmers tend to perform much better after drinking chocolate milk than energy sports drinks. The experts believe that chocolate milk is a good option as a recovery drink due to its protein and carbohydrate content, which are needed by muscles after strenuous exercises. These are much cheaper than popular energy drinks.  

To test the nutritive benefits of the chocolate mill, the trial observed six swimmers taking part in an intense athletic competition conducted at an intercollegiate level, reports the National Post.

 For three weeks, the participants swam with a gap of five hours for recovery. These swimmers either drank a calorie-free energy drink or low fat chocolate milk every two hours after swimming. The participants underwent three tests after five hours of recovery to measure their aerobic and anaerobic  and energy recovering metabolic activity.

 It was observed that the swimmers reduced the overall time needed for a 200 yard swim by 2.1 seconds and 0.5 seconds for 75 yard sprint. These time minutes changes in sports and athletic activities determine the winning chances. The authors explained chocolate milk must be preferred over energy drinks as they energize and build tired muscles after intense physical activity.

"From cyclists to runners to soccer players, there's a strong body of research supporting the benefits of recovering with chocolate milk. Now, our research suggests these same benefits extend to swimmers - a sport that relies on quick recovery for multiple races within a single day," said Stager, reports the National Post.

A past trial found that overall energy and protein intake dropped in children studying in schools that imposed a ban on chocolate milk. The schools reported a massive wastage of milk.

 The research was funded by the U.S. Milk Processor Education Program in Washington D.C.