(I stole this from the Danville Store's Blog and thought it was so interesting I would share it.)-- Marienne)
Forget Gatorade, chocolate milk is the new sports drink. A recent study reveals that chocolate milk is way more effective than any "specially formulated" performance drink. And the reasons why are clear.
Alone, chocolate is an incredible source of energy. One single chocolate chip contains enough energy for an adult to walk 150 feet. An ounce of baking chocolate contains 10% the recommended daily iron intake, a mineral that binds to the center of the heme complex. This means that it increases performance by enabling the hemoglobin (the stuff in you blood that binds to oxygen) to more effectively carry oxygen to your muscles as well as by allowing cytochrome proteins to form which enable redox reactions (such a metabolism--the chemical reaction that gives the body energy). Additionally, chocolate contains a small amount of caffeine. The caffeine content is ideal because at about 5-10 mg of caffeine in an ounce of chocolate, it is enough to heighten alertness, but not enough to cause any noticeable "crash" effects. Finally, cocoa flavanols help to regulate blood pressure, which is especially important at a rapid heart rate.
But even more magic happens when the chocolate is combined with milk. Gatorade and the likes work by replacing carbohydrates, electrolytes and fluids lost in sweat. However, recent research indicates that coupling these ingredients with protein may make them even more effective. New sports drinks, like Endurox, attempted to cash in on this by adding protein to their formulas, but nothing seems to be as effective as good old-fashioned chocolate milk. In another study, cyclists biked to exhaustion, then rested for four hours and drank sports drinks and chocolate milk. They then biked to exhaustion again. The amazing thing is that those cyclists who drank chocolate milk biked 50% longer than those who drank Endurox. But why? Endurox has the same carb-protein ratio as chocolate milk. The reason is in the sugars. The chemical structure of the artificial sugars in Endurox causes them to be more difficult to absorb by the stomach lining than the lactose in milk.
Well there you have it. Chocolate milk is giving Gatorade a run for its money. And with athletes like Michael Phelps drinking it everyday, chocolate milk is sure to pick up a boastful reputation in the years to come.
A lot of people come to Bittersweet after a soccer game, but wouldn't it be a great idea to come before as well? You could fuel up on carbs, proteins, and fluids, all while getting the amazing health benefits of chocolate. And let's not forget how amazingly tasty it is.
Posted by: Stuart Camenson, Barista Extrordinaire, Danville
First, when you say you are from Danville, I assume you mean East Bay? I grew up there! Great town. I miss it a lot.
ReplyDeleteOnto the subject at hand. :) Admittedly, Chocolate - specifically chocolate milk is giving energy drinks a run for their money. I have been reading a lot about the subject, too. I think I've come to the conclusion that chocolate milk MIGHT be better than gatorade, but if you're training hard, Endurox is still the best bet. Check out this article- might give you an idea of what I mean:
http://forzegps.com/blog/?p=30