Drinking low-fat chocolate milk after a workout helps build endurance and muscle mass and reduces fat. The particular combination of carbohydrates and protein found in chocolate milk appears to help replenish any lost sugar in muscles, encourages protein synthesis and even stops protein breakdown. White milk doesn't work as well because it has a different mixture of carbohydrates and protein.
More facts about chocolate milk and working out:
- Nutritionists recommend drinking 8-16 ounces (236-473 mL) of chocolate milk 20-30 minutes after working out to get the best results.
- Just drinking a protein shake after working out does not have the same effect as drinking chocolate milk, because protein shakes often lack the same carbohydrate-protein mix that chocolate milk has. Beverages with a high ratio of carbohydrates to protein — such as 4-to-1 or 5-to-1 — appear to work the best.
- Even energy drinks or sports drinks that have a similar carbohydrate-protein mix don't seem to work as well as chocolate milk. Although it's not entirely clear why, researchers believe that it could be because of a difference in the structure of the sugars.
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Discussion Comments
Does the fat content in milk, such as 1 percent, 2 percent, or skim have an effect? And does the concentration, or ratio of chocolate to milk have an effect, such as x teaspoons of chocolate syrup, for x number of cups of milk?
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