Milk is the 'best way to replace lost fluids'
Tuesday, 31 July 2007
A study has revealed that drinking milk after excercise could rehydrate up to four times faster than water or sports drinks
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The best way to rehydrate after exercise is not a big glass of water or a fancy sports drink as you might think - but instead a glass of skimmed milk, new research has suggested.
The findings from Loughborough University's School of Sport and Exercise Studies found milk was the most effective for replacing fluids after exercise.
The research compared skimmed milk with plain water and a commercial sports drink and found that the dairy product had people fully rehydrated four times quicker than water or the sports drink.
Dr Carole Lowis, consultant nutritionist with the Dairy Council for Northern Ireland, said the new research would have an impact for sports people.
"Replacing fluid lost during exercise is important as even mild dehydration can affect sporting performance.
"This new research found that after drinking milk, those who had taken part in the exercise session were fully hydrated within an hour, compared to over four hours for water and the sports drink."
It is believed that it is the electrolyte content in milk which makes it so effective.
Dr Lowis said the research was timely for stars taking part in this week's Milk Cup soccer tournament in Coleraine.
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