Chocolate Milk: Make It Your Post-Work Drink
By Virginia Laird
Many exercise fanatics swear by a post-workout beverage to refuel the body after a strenuous routine. Research also suggests that it is best to give the body back some of the energy burned during a fierce workout. However, the same research recommends there is no need to buy into high dollar programs for such a purpose. Rather, it suggests chocolate milk to be one of the best post-workout beverages of choice. When typically drinking chocolate milk, it may put a damper on a person’s diet, but drinking just a bit of it post-workout can get the body feeling ready to go again. A few reasons to include this yummy beverage as part of a post-workout routine are:
- It offers carbs and protein
- It helps replace the stored energy burned during the workout
- It stimulates thirst
It Offers Carbs and Protein
Many who work out religiously rely on a post-workout routine which helps to replenish some of the lost carbs. This can help the body to maintain its ability to function when otherwise a person’s body would be so exhausted it would be screaming for a nap. Another thing the body needs after a workout is protein. Protein helps the muscles to repair themselves when damage has occured. It is well-known that exercise can be stressful to the body, which can cause some damage. Refueling with protien and carbs can help the body stay healthy.
It Helps Replace the Stored Energy Burned During the Workout
After burning a ton of calories the body can be run down, it is important to replace some of the stored energy the body no longer has. This can be done by consuming chocolate milk. Research suggests that when stored energy (glycogen) is not restored after a workout, the body may not feel all the benefits of exercise.
It Stimulates Thirst
Chocolate milk helps to stimulate thirst, which encourages those working out to drink more water post-workout. It is more important than some may realize to drink enough water after exercising. Hydration is key to maintaining health, which makes drinking lots of water important after sweating much of it away during a workout.
For some, this may seem like another reason to indulge in chocolate milk; however, the research does not lie. Next time you head to the gym or take in a long jog through your Happy Valley neighborhood, consider reaching for a glass of chocolate milk post-workout and let it help your body recover.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Happy Valley, Ore.