Study Cites Chocolate Milk's Benefits for Endurance Athletes

Results from a study that pitted low-fat chocolate milk against Gatorade® and Endurox® were published in the Feb. 2006 issue of the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism. The article, "Chocolate Milk As a Post-Exercise Recovery Aid," suggests that chocolate milk is an effective recovery aid between two exhausting bouts of exercise.

Joel M. Stager, professor in the Department of Kinesiology, Indiana University, Bloomington, led the study's team of researchers. Stager is also the director of the Counsilman Center for the Science of Swimming at the school and a swim team coach. He first tested his "recovery by chocolate milk theory" several years ago on his swimmers, who had been struggling with their two daily practices. The results were so promising that he and his doctoral students instigated a study involving cyclists in a more-controlled environment.

The study, partially funded by the Dairy & Nutrition Council Inc., Indianapolis, involved nine male bicyclists who would go thorough an interval of cycling followed by four hours of rest. After two hours of rest, the cyclists drank chocolate milk, fluid-replacement drink (Gatorade) or carbohydrate-replacement drink (Endurox) in quantities that totaled two to three 8-oz. glasses per hour. In the second workout of each set, the participants cycled to exhaustion. Those who drank chocolate milk exhibited similar levels of endurance as those who drank the fluid-replacement drink. Those who drank the carbohydrate-replacement drink exhibited roughly 50% less endurance.

The authors of the article note that chocolate milk has a ratio of carbohydrates to protein that might prove ideal for reinvigorating exhausted muscles.