According to Texas researchers, non fat (skimmed) milk and cereals may
be a better economical alternative as compared to sports drinks.

Exercise
physiologist Lynne Kammer, from The University of Texas at Austin,
discovered this after analyzing the physiological effects of cereal and
milk post-exercise.

The researchers disclosed that, unlike other
researches on sports nutrition, her group planned the exercise
procedure, which will reproduce a routine exercise session.

Kammer and her fellow workers investigated 12 trained cyclists, out of which 8 were male and 4 female.

After a warm-up period, the study participants cycled for two hours at a comfortable rate.

Lynne
said, “Our goal was to compare whole grain cereal plus milk—which are
ordinary foods—and sports drinks, after moderate exercise. We wanted to
understand their relative effects on glycogen repletion and muscle
protein synthesis for the average individual. We found that glycogen
repletion, or the replenishment of immediate muscle fuel, was just as
good after whole grain cereal consumption and that some aspects of
protein synthesis were actually better.”

“Cereal and non-fat
milk are a less expensive option than sports drinks. The milk provides
a source of easily digestible and high quality protein, which can
promote protein synthesis and training adaptations, making this an
attractive recovery option for those who refuel at home,” she added.

Based
on their results, the study researchers said that a quick bowl of
whole-grain cereal with a splash of skimmed milk is a better
alternative for those people following an exercising routine.

They added that cereals and milk might be a smarter move than investing in a high-priced sports drink.

General Mills Bell Institute of Health and Nutrition supported the Kammer’s research.