• image.alt
  • With Mayo Clinic nutritionists

    Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.

    read biography

Free

E-Newsletters

Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. About our newsletters

  • Housecall
  • Alzheimer's caregiving
  • Living with cancer
  • Nutrition-wise blog

  • Feb. 27, 2010

    Milk joins the roster of sports drinks

    By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.

15 comments posted

Low-fat milk is taking on sports drinks and coming out on top.

Several small studies have put low-fat milk and low-fat chocolate milk to the test as an alternative exercise recovery beverage for athletes performing resistance and endurance activities.

Athletes need fuel — for both immediate and stored energy. The body's preferred source of fuel is carbohydrate (sugar), which is stored as glycogen in the muscles. Protein is needed to build muscles and repair them after use.

Milk offers both carbohydrate (lactose) and protein (whey and casein). When compared to sports drinks, low-fat milk, plain or chocolate, was equivalent or better for fueling, repairing and building muscle. The results were especially impressive when milk was used as a recovery or post-exercise beverage.

Milk has other performance-enhancing qualities as well. Milk contains electrolytes (sodium, potassium and other minerals), which are lost through sweat and must be replenished after exercise. Milk is also rich in nutrients such as calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D.

Parents, will you offer your kids cold, refreshing milk after the next big game? What about after your own workout? Can you see yourself swapping your sports drinks for a frosty glass of milk?

Keep yourself fueled and healthy,

Katherine

15 comments posted

blog index
References
  1. Roy BD. Milk: The new sports drink? A review. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. 2008; 5:15.
MY01209 Feb. 27, 2010

© 1998-2012 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Advertisement


Text Size: smaller largerlarger