Drinking low-fat chocolate milk after a tough workout provides the right mix of carbohydrates and high-quality protein, U.S. researchers found.

 

Researchers in three related studies compared the recovery benefits of drinking low-fat chocolate milk after exercise to a carbohydrate beverage with the same calories -- similar to a typical sports drink -- and calorie-free beverages.

 

The study linked drinking low-fat chocolate milk after strenuous exercise to improved performance, quicker exercise adaptation, and better body composition, Collectively, the research suggests that low-fat chocolate milk can improve performance and aid training for trained and amateur athletes faced with tough routines.