Why is a post workout drink important? When we workout out we put little tears in our muscle fibers and connective tissues. In the time following our workout, our muscles will attempt to rebuild themselves in order to be stronger in the future. In order for them to rebuild themselves, they need to be given the proper post workout nutrition (Stager). The post workout meal is probably one of the most important meals of the days for our actively fit population.
So how do we pick our post workout drink? There are a whole slew of options -- Gatorade, POWERade, Muscle Milk etc. Well, according to Physiologist Joel Stager, director of the Human Performance laboratory at Indiana University, there is a new workout recovery drink to add to the list: chocolate milk. His latest study, published in January's 2011 International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, names this kids' favorite an optimal post-exercise recovery aid. Chocolate milk has double the carbohydrates and protein compared to water and milk, and most sports drinks, which is perfect for rebuilding muscles. Chocolate milk makes itself an ideal candidate for a post workout drink, the amount of carbs and protein contained in chocolate milk are beneficial for rebuilding our muscles; carbs are needed to replace drained fuel sources and the protein helps begin the rebuilding process.
ANOTHER BENEFIT: Chocolate milk is a rich source of calcium. Because osteoporosis is a prevalent disease among older women in todays population, adequate amounts of calcium need to be consumed in order to enhance bone density. A woman over the age of 50 needs about 1,500 mg of calcium per day.
Drink well and stay fit!
References
Stager, J. (2011). Chocolate milk as a post-exercise recovery aid. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism
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