There are so many sports drinks on the market that claim to “hydrate better than water,” it’s hard to choose which one is best. Though if you want to focus on a true recovery drink rather than just one that replenishes fluids, there’s a much more natural option: milk.
The Key to Hydration
Hydration is much more than just replenishing the fluids lost during a workout or sporting event. It’s also about keeping those fluids in your body. The best combination to keep those fluids in is a blend of carbohydrates, electrolytes, and protein. This is because they all contribute to slowing gastric emptying and increasing fluid retention. Milk does this naturally and efficiently, much more than many name-brand sports drinks.
Scientific studies have proven that milk is superior. Its unique composition of sodium, potassium, natural sugars, and protein, fosters long-term hydration better than just water or sports drinks.
Milk’s natural isotonic make-up is very similar to our body’s fluid and electrolyte balance, allowing milk to be extremely efficient in post-exercise rehydration and a great recovery drink.
Other Benefits of Milk
The best part? Milk doesn’t just rehydrate your body; there are many other positives to drinking a glass. For instance, milk’s protein content aids muscle repair, giving you a faster recovery time after a particularly extensive workout. Electrolyte waters and many sports drinks cannot give you the same amount of protein.
Proven Research
Dairy nutrition experts state that electrolyte water may give people a calorie-free option, for those conscious about intake or are on a diet, but those same waters lack the carbohydrates and proteins required to make a significant recovery. Those two pieces are building blocks for the body, and must be replenished after being used during a workout or other strenuous activity.
Other research experts have dived deeper into drinking milk after exercise. One example pitted low-glycemic index skim milk against high-glycemic sports drinks. The result? Skim milk after exercise increased fat oxidation and decreased harmful blood lipid and glucose levels after a subsequent meal.
This means that drinking milk after exercise not only impacts hydration and muscle repair in your body, but also affects metabolic responses positively, too.
More research has bolstered these findings, showing that low-fat milk restores fluid and keeps your body energized even after a tough workout. It’s better than either water or commercial sports drinks, and is a perfect drink for those who want a natural way to recuperate.
Recovering with Milk
Milk is top-tier when it comes to rehydration as a recovery drink, especially in situations with heavy sweating, long workouts, or hot weather. Containing complete proteins and natural electrolytes elevates milk above the rest, and makes it a perfect, holistic recovery option that supports hydration and muscle repair.