The benefits of chocolate milk as a recovery drink have also been identified in earlier Canadian studies.

One convenient chocolate milk drink option is included in "Nutrition for the Long Run" (published in 2003) by Heidi Smith of the University of Guelph.

The "Portable Chocolate Recovery Shake" is made from skim milk powder flavoured with chocolate milk powder, mixed with water to drink. The powder mix can be easily carried without needing refrigeration, and the skim milk powder bumps up the protein and reduces the sugar for the drink.

The fatty acid and protein structure of goat milk is different than cow milk, and it is much easier to digest. Goat milk contains only trace amounts of the cow milk protein that some people are allergic to. Many people who are diagnosed as lactose intolerant can drink goat milk.

Goat milk contains 13% more calcium, 25% more vitamin B-6, 47% more vitamin A, 34% more potassium, 350% more niacin, and 27% more selenium than cow milk. Goat milk is also higher in chloride, copper, and manganese.

I drink goat milk for health reasons. If I drink cow milk I get asthma. If I drink goat milk I don't.

It is interesting to me that some think dairy milk is not well digested, but beverages made from beans (such as soy) are? Beans contain two carbohydrates, raffinose and stachyose, for which the human body does not produce enzymes to break down. The gut takes over the process of breaking down these carbohydrates by fermentation, with one by-product being gas. I prefer to get nutrients from natural sources. Dairy milk is a natural source of calcium. 250 mL provides more protein than one boiled egg, as much potassium as one medium banana, and is 90% water. This is what makes milk a good hydration and recovery drink. Soy beverages, on the other hand, are inherently deficient in calcium. Calcium has to be added as a chemical and its absorption remains questionable.

Milk does a body good! Milk is a refreshing drink, however, drinking too much gives me a stomach ache. I noticed that a 250ml carton of chocolate milk is an excellent afterworkout drink, however, but don't have more.

I am still not convinced that the human body easily digests cow's milk. It is my impression that soy milk or rice milk would be a much better substitute to cow's milk. Even better than that is water, accompanied by a banana (carbs)and/or a boiled egg (protein).

Relatively new research has demonstrated that recovery and performance can be increased by a pre/peri/post-workout drink containing a sufficient amount of protein and simple carbs; not just carbs. If it was between chocolate milk or just gatorade then it's an obvious choice from a recovery standpoint. The carbs act to shuttle the necessary aminos into the muscles when they're most desired, ie during and after a good training session.

In regards to the comments that "People believe that high milk-fat ratios cause people to gain weight. In fact scientists have shown the opposite to be true"...The weight of the subjects in this study may be more related to their overall fitness and health status, rather than being based on the consumption of milk. Generally, people in this category make wiser choices in both daily activity and daily nutrition (i.e. drinking milk rather than a soft drink) which all contribute to optimal weight demonstrated for their body structure...it is fare more multidimensional than just milk consumption.

But keep Drinking it!!!

I think this is an excellent message to get out to the public. Milk and milk products give us some of the best levels of protein-to-fat ratios and is the most reliable form of calcium. Studies have shown that milk fat increases the amount of calcium absorbed by the body. So the higher the M.F. rating (usually 2% or more for chocolate milk) the better (to a certain degree, see below). People believe that high milk-fat ratios cause people to gain weight. In fact scientists have shown the opposite to be true. Woman who increase their calcium intake lose weight faster, for longer. The idea that low fat diary is a good thing is something that needs to be addressed. A healthy diet requires a daily fat intake of 15%-30% to maintain a healthy system. Milk certainly falls into this category. Even Homo-milk (which has really taken a beating in recent years) easily beats the statistic.

The chocolate in the milk gives the sugar boost required as well as a nice little caffeine pep to keep your day going!

Have fun! Drink milk! Stay healthy!

Milk certainly does have its thirst-quenching properties. But when the mouth is dehydrated and the stomach a little queazy from strenuous physical exertion, milk can sometimes feel a little heavy on the tongue and uneasy on the stomach. This makes milk a rather poor substitution for water (I don't drink energy drinks either). Not to mention it must be refrigerated and cannot be kept in warm environments for any length of time. Shortly after working out however, milk is my number one choice. Great protein, calcium, vitamins, and very satisfying!

My recovery drink, after years of exhaustive research is a cold beer, especially after an hour and half on a road bike at 32C in the summer!

However, many times like today after an hour of cardio and weights it is Beck's Non Alcoholic (0.00 %), or the PC brand. Cold, crisp, 50 or so calories and low in sodium. Do a lable to lable comp with your Choc Milk and what ever "ade" you want. Better off with real lemonade or even a "Real" cold beer!

Best,

Larry

Milk? Ugh, I cannot think of a more gross thing to have after a run. On cereal, OK, but as a refreshing sports drink? Maybe back in the '70s when drinking milk out of the carton was seen as macho but not now. This reminds me of an SNL bit where the new sports drink is made of cookie dough (the ad featured Will Farell, in slow motion, to the tune of Love Hurts, dumping a sloppy mess of cookie dough all over himself)