Chocolate milk is better than sport drinks at boosting exercise recovery: Study

A new study has found chocolate milk is better than sports drinks at boosting exercise recovery, the Daily Mail reported.

Researchers say chocolate milk helps athletes to exercise intensely without feeling tired for six minutes longer than sports drinks.

For the study, 12 studies were analysed that included 150 participants. After completing exercise tests like running, participants drank chocolate milk.

They were then analysed for:

* How tired they felt
* Heart rates and levels of lactic acid were measured

The results showed the drink improved heart rates and lactic-acid levels, which causes cramps.

"Chocolate milk contains carbohydrates, proteins, fats, flavonoids, electrolytes, and some vitamins which make this drink a good choice for recovery in athletes," Study author Dr Amin Salehi-Abargouei from Shahid Sadoughi University in Yazd, Iran, told the Daily Mail. "The take-home message is that chocolate milk is a low-cost, delicious and palatable option for recovery and provides either similar or superior effects compared with commercial drinks."

Other popular alternatives are:

* Cereal with milk
* Smoothies
* Sandwiches
* Soup

The findings were originally published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.