Study: Milk rehydrates better than sports drinks and water

MANILA, Philippines – Attention all the fitness buffs! Recent study claims that the best way to hydrate after a long workout isn’t  through sports drinks, but milk.

Researchers reported in the journal Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism that the sodium, carbohydrate and protein content of milk helps the recover faster when dehydrated, because it helps the body retain fluid.

The researchers wanted to find out, which among the sports drink Powerade and different kinds of milk such as cow’s milk, soy milk and a milk-based meal supplement rehydrate the body faster after the body is subjected to exercise.

In the experiment, 15 men were tasked to four rounds of cycling on separate days. Each workout was followed by different beverage. After which, the researchers measured their blood and urine to determine hydration and nutrient levels.

According to the paper, “ratings of bloating and fullness were higher during all milk trials compared with Powerade whereas ratings of overall thirst were not different between beverages. Milk-based drinks are more effective rehydration options compared with traditional sports drinks. The additional energy, protein and sodium in a milk-based liquid meal supplement facilitate superior fluid recovery following exercise.”

Aside from that, the study also claimed that while water has been well-known to be the best rehydrating beverage, it causes a drop in sodium levels, which possibly leads to even more dehydration.