Is chocolate milk good for athletes?

Posted on Nov 20th 2006 6:01PM by Brian White

Filed Under: Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements

When one thinks of healthy foods, chocolate milk really doesn't come to mind very often, if at all. New research from a group of scientists recently discovered that one of the most effective drinks to help athletes recover after exercise comes in colorful package sold at your nearest grocery store with names like Quik, Hersheys and Ovaltine.

The research involved a group of fit athletes who were asked to work out strenuously on a stationery bicycle, then drink low-fat chocolate milk, a fluid-replacement drink like Gatorade and a carbohydrate replacement drink like Endurox R4.

The three-fluid study then asked the athletes to cycle again a few hours later until they reached exhaustion. Conclusion? The athletes who drank the chocolate milk were able to have a more strenuous workout than those who had taken in the carb drink.

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Tags: Athletes, Chocolate, Cocoa

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Howard 11-29-2006 @ 7:12AM

Hmmm. Interesting. I just saw a TV special about a chef for the LA school system -- they hired her cause the food was so unhealthy. She stated that it disappointed her that parents were putting choc milk in those kids that 'brown-bagged.' The reason she said was "because choc milk has as much calories and more fat than even a soda."

Can't win for losing.

gayle 11-29-2006 @ 7:39AM

THAT IS SO GREAT TO HEAR THIS NEWS. CHOCOLATE MILK IS MY FAVORITE DRINK. I MYSELF WILL DRINK APPROX THREE TO FOUR GALLONS A WEEK. I'M GLAD TO KNOW IT'S SUPPPOSE TO BE GOOD FOR YOU!!! SO EVERYONE... DRINK UP!!! :)

michael 11-29-2006 @ 5:10PM

I feel that chocolate milk should be placed on a pedestal in this country. Chocolate milk is the key to happiness. Chocolate milk solves all the world's problems. Chocolate milk for president. Chocolate milk invented electricity. Chocalate milk is the key to understanding life. If you're reading this, I advise you to drink at least 5 gallons of chocolate milk a week so that you can be a part of this delicious beverage and all of the things it stands. If you're proud to be an American, show your patriotism by chugging chocolate milk. Thanks for your time.

Terrie 11-29-2006 @ 8:10AM

This study is shows the efffect on athletes. Children do not burn calories with intense workouts. I don't believe we should give it to our children every day. I think it should be considered a treat. Too many children are basically inactive and consume way too many calories. We need to be responisible adults and help children with their nutrition.

kulabk 11-29-2006 @ 8:56AM

Drinking pre-made chocolate milk is not healthy because they generally use whole or 2% milk and chocolate flavoring. If you drink skim milk with the low sugar or sugar-free syrup or powder mixed in, then drink up. People have to be careful to not have misconceptions on what is actually healthy.

Linda 11-29-2006 @ 8:46AM

Why didn't the study compare chocolate milk to regular white milk? Now we don't know if it was the chocolate or just the milk. Doesn't seem very scientific to me!

Cece 11-29-2006 @ 8:46AM

Remember that this study used low-fat chocolate milk. Use skim milk and Nestle's Quik or whatever chocolate milk mix you prefer and you'll get the taste you like and not get the fat and extra calories of whole milk.

Rose 11-29-2006 @ 9:09AM

I wonder if they factored in, that chocolate has caffine? Maybe thats why the chocolate drinkers where able to last longer.

Edward G Hoffmann 11-29-2006 @ 9:10AM

I've heard chocolate in milk blocks the absorbtion of calcium

Kris 11-29-2006 @ 9:18AM

Milk of any kind is a very healthy drink. There are lowfat versions of chocolate milk that taste great and cut calories. Calcium is absorbed better in dairy products that supplements because of the vitamin D in them...therefore being great for your health. If you want to read more on dairy products go to www.3aday.org and make sure you get 3 servings of dairy a day.

Chris Stewart 11-29-2006 @ 9:14AM

Well it's about time someone acknowledged chocolate milk was good for you!!!!! Nothing like a tall cold glass of chocolate milk in the morning when I get up.

Ken 11-29-2006 @ 9:12AM

Hershey's makes a no sugar added skim chocolate milk, low fat and if I remember right only 120 calories. Certainly low enough to be drunk daily.

Stepmom 11-29-2006 @ 9:14AM

I quit buying sodas and many of the bottled juices (read the labels on the juices, they are mostly sucrose with very little real juice, I get the Tropicana pure premium orange juice instead or make smoothies with real fruit) and bought some of that liquid chocolate that you mix with milk. My two stepdaughters drink it nearly everyday, and they are both fit and trim, with good muscle tone and healthy appetites. One is a cheerleader and the other is a basketball player. We go through a gallon of milk every two days. There aren't any overweight people in my house! Milk does a body good...as long as you don't sit on your butt all day!

Marilyn 11-29-2006 @ 9:44AM

I really love chocolate milk. However, I really don't believe that it is that healthy. The chocolate syrup has many calories. And I'm sure it also has lots of fat. Since I take Lipitor for cholesteral I don't believe I need any more fat. And so I'll stick to diet soda.

Bob S 11-29-2006 @ 9:42AM

Want low calories in chocolate milk ? Drink Soy Light Chocolate Milk. It tastes better than regular chocolate milk and is better for you

wpmurray 11-29-2006 @ 9:51AM

Milk is good for you and children who do not like plain milk will usually like chocolat milk in one form or another. If adding chocolat makes the difference between a child drinking his milk or not then everyday may not be TOO often to allow the child chocolat milk. And to the previous blogger that drinks 3 or 4 gallons a week, All good things in moderation.

JON 11-29-2006 @ 10:18AM

Athletes burn more calories than children---BULL SH#T!
Maybe you should find other recreation other than playstation!
I've been doing a quart a day as long as I can remember and at 45 (as of today) i'm fit and healthy.The studies don't suprise me,Hey i've lived off this stuff. Chocolate milk is hand made by most dairies and limited in production(used to work at a dairey).
So drink up, be happy and healthy---where's my quart?
uhm-uhm-good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

jenny 11-29-2006 @ 11:41AM

Just to let people know who are looking for a low-fat pre made chocolate milk, the organic brand Horizon has one. Each 8 ounce serving has 3 gms of Fat 170 calories 27 gms of Sugar. Taste great !!

Krisi 11-29-2006 @ 10:09AM

Neither chocolate nor milk is unhealthy in moderation, even whole milk. From age 14 to age 25, I drank at least two glasses of chocolate milk every day and did moderate exercise (45 min. to an hour daily) and my weight never went up or down from a range of 102-107, a good weight for just under 5' 3" and my BMI was measured around 20. The fat in milk is not unhealthy, nor is a moderate amount of sugar, in my opinion. What is so bad about many foods today is all the unnatural ingredients, whether chemical or genetically engineered, corn syrup and high fructose corn syrup being one of the worst. If the government really wants to help people with obesity as they say they do, they should stop paying farmers to overgrow corn and engineer soybeans and tell companies to use in their products only natural sweeteners and other high quality ingredients left as nature intended them.

reb 11-29-2006 @ 10:26AM

Ask any doctor or pediatrician and they will tell you that chocolate milk has ALWAYS been considered healthy. Of course if you worry about fat, common sense tells you to use low fat milk. As far as what you use to make it-who cares? It's your choice. Milk is a very healthy drink.. Nesquick and Ovaltine have extra vitamins and minerals. Chocolate-even cocoa powder, is also considered an antioxidant. My daughter can have it whenever she wants. Why put limits on something that CANNOT harm you. Who cares if it was the milk or the chocolate in the study? Use common sense people!

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