Sports nutrition refers to the role of diet and nutrition in optimizing the performance of an athlete. Indeed, numerous commercially-available sports drinks and aids have been developed; however, emerging research is demonstrating that milk and dairy may exhibit many positive roles in sports nutrition.
Firstly, skimmed milk is emerging as an effective re-hydration drink after sports. This is likely due to the composition of the drink, for example, the electrolyte content naturally found in milk!. Secondly, chocolate milk has been identified as a valuable recovery aid after endurance activity. Research studies evaluating ‘time to exhaustion’ during an exercise trial subsequent to a recovery period from glycogen-depleting exercise, during which test drinks were consumed, reported that chocolate milk performed at least as well (or even better) than commercially available sports drinks. And thirdly, milk contains good quality protein and consumption after resistance training may be effective in inducing muscle protein synthesis. Consumption after certain exercises may also assist in reducing exercise-induced muscle damage. In addition, milk and dairy foods are a source of many essential nutrients e.g. protein, calcium and a number of the B vitamins. Achieving adequate intakes of essential nutrients is fundamental to health.
