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Cereal and milk as good as sports drink

Posted on: Wednesday, 13 May 2009, 21:48 CDT

A bowl of whole-grain cereal with milk is as good as a carbohydrate-based sports drink to help muscles recover after a workout, U.S. researchers suggest.

The study, published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, said that for the amateur athlete and the moderately active individual trying to keep in shape, grabbing a quick bowl of whole-grain cereal with a splash of skim milk may be a smarter move than a high-priced sports drink.

Exercise physiologist Lynne Kammer of The University of Texas at Austin and colleagues studied 12 trained cyclists, eight male and four female. After a warm-up period, the subjects cycled for two hours at a comfortable work rate.

Cereal and non-fat milk are a less expensive option than sports drinks, Kammer says in a statement.

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.

The study 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, Kammer says.

Source: United Press International

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