When we say chocolate milk, we think of the hearty snacks we had as children or the little guilty pleasure we occasionally indulge in watching Netflix now that we are adults (and when our charming darlings are in bed). The era of guilt is now over since a recent study claims that the gourmet drink would have great benefits… after a physical exercise session! The research, which was published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition and featured by The Guardian , show that chocolate milk offers the right mix of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, water and electrolytes [the mineral salts that circulate in the blood, Ed] to recover effectively after exercise. To reach such a conclusion, the scientists looked at 12 different studies highlighting how chocolate milk affects post-exercise recovery compared to energy drinks and placebos. They took into account several factors including the perception of the effort provided, the level of fatigue and the heart rate. Chocolate milk has been shown to have similar or even greater benefits than energy drinks and placebos.
How to explain this astonishing result? Milk contains two types of so-called high-quality protein, whey and casein. The first is absorbed quickly by the body and the second more slowly, which allows the body to receive a continuous source of protein after sport (which accelerates muscle recovery). Chocolate provides the necessary carbohydrates after more or less intense exercise, but also magnesium, calcium, vitamin B6 and iron. According to Kelly Pritchett, who works in the nutrition department at the University of Georgia, it is best to consume the beverage within 2 hours of the sports session. “This is the perfect opportunity because there is an increased possibility of rapidly replenishing stored glycogen stores in the muscles during this time frame. This is due to increased blood flow to the muscles “, explains the specialist. That's a good news ! Well, on the other hand, we forget the brioche and the spread to accompany the glass of milk... That does not bring any benefit (but it delights the palate... So it's up to you)!
