Last Updated on March 12, 2021 by Filip Poutintsev
Chocolate milk is milk typically flavoured with cocoa and sugar. It is usually created by mixing chocolate powder (chocolate syrup) with milk (from cow, goat, soy, rice, etc.). Sometimes other ingredients are added to add flavour and nutrient value to the milk. Chocolate milk is typically served cold.
Benefits of Chocolate Milk
Chocolate milk is distinct from milk chocolate, which is a solid form of chocolate made with milk. Chocolate milk is more popular among children. Kids love chocolate milk. Chocolate has many health benefits like alleviating stress, boosting brain activity, improves liver health, and many others. When mixed with milk, becomes a more nutritious drink. Chocolate milk makes a healthy addition to any diet. It’s high in calcium, vitamins A and D, potassium and protein.
Chocolate milk is rich in nutrients, has the combined nutrients of milk and chocolate. Chocolate milk is usually used for nutrition recovery, which means a person needs to restore the energy after vigorous activity. Anyone can consume chocolate milk for boosting their energy but it is best suited for kids, athletes, fitness freaks, and heavy workers who need instant energy refuel. It is also used as a post-workout drink.
Some of the Benefits of Chocolate Milk are Explained Below:
1. Rich in Nutrients
Chocolate milk is generally made by mixing cow’s milk with cocoa and sweeteners. It has the combined nutrients of milk and chocolate. It is richer in carbs and calories than unsweetened milk.
In general, a cup (240ml) of chocolate milk has 180-210 calories. Chocolate milk contains protein, carbohydrate, sugar, fat, calcium, vitamin D, Potassium, Phosphorous, and Riboflavin. It also contains a smaller amount of zinc, magnesium, iodine, vitamin A, B1, B6, B12. These nutrients are helpful in body growth and the well-functioning of the body.
2. Rich Source of Protein
Chocolate milk contains a significant amount of protein which helps in muscle growth as well as gives energy to tired and strained muscles. Protein plays an important role in body growth, so it is necessary for growing children. It helps to gain more muscles.
Protein also helps to refuel tired and strained muscles. Chocolate milk is the right drink for recovery, scientifically shown to refuel exhausted muscles. Chocolate milk will help to repair, build, and strengthen the muscles all while satisfying your sweet tooth and your stomach.
3. Carbohydrates for Energy
Carbohydrate gives energy to the muscles to do work. Chocolate milk contains a healthy amount of carbohydrates and helps to refill your energy reserve quickly. Chocolate milk has a 4:1 carbohydrate to protein ratio which is not found in any other energy drinks. Chocolate milk contains anywhere from 20-30 grams of carbohydrate per serving. This much carbohydrate will fill your energy reserve to run your day smoothly.
4. A Rich Source for Calcium
Chocolate milk is rich in calcium — the main mineral present in our bones. Our body relies on calcium to maintain strong bones and to sustain the healthy function of our hearts, muscles, and nerves. Calcium is a mineral that helps strengthen bones and prevents bone ailments, such as arthritis, osteoporosis, and tooth decay.
For growing kids calcium is one of the important nutrients for proper growth. Researchers have found that the easiest source of calcium is dairy and calcium in dairy is easily absorbable. Studies suggest the consumption of milk and dairy products to lower risks of fractures and bone diseases, such as osteoporosis — especially in older adults.
5. Replenish Electrolytes
After a heavy work out a person needs to replenish the electrolytes in your body. Chocolate milk helps to replenish water levels throughout the body, staving off dehydration. Drinking a glass of chocolate milk can help to rehydrate the body and prevent dehydration, and it can also provide your body with electrolytes.
Electrolytes help the body gain much-needed energy and further help to prevent dehydration. Chocolate milk naturally provides many of the same electrolytes such as calcium, potassium, sodium, and magnesium. Potassium reduces muscle fatigue and pain. Chocolate milk contains higher levels of electrolytes than other commercial energy drinks.
6. It Replenishes the Vitamins Your Body Needs Daily
Chocolate milk is a rich source of vitamin D along with other 14 nutrients. Vitamins are the essentials nutrients for proper body growth and well-functioning. Vitamin D has been proven to strengthen your bones and teeth and lends a helping hand in staving off a variety of diseases.
Also, adequate intake of Vitamin D can lead to a lower risk of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, especially in children. Besides vitamin D, chocolate milk also contains vitamin A, B1, B6, B12. The presence of all these vitamins and other nutrients ensures the well-functioning of our body.
7. Beneficial for Skin
One of the most important benefits of chocolate milk is the effect it has on your skin. Vitamins A and B-6, potassium, and the proteins in milk help strengthen skin while maintaining its smoothness. Vitamin A is important for skin health as it helps the skin retain water, deterring wrinkles, and increases the production of new skin cells, which replace old damaged cells. In addition to the skin, these benefits also apply to your hair.
8. It’s Tasty
One of the best parts about chocolate milk is its taste. Chocolate milk makes you feel full, leaves a sweet taste in your mouth, and still brings some health benefits to the table. For children who do not like white milk, flavoured milk offers a tasty option to help them get the two to three servings of dairy they need each day. Chocolate milk tastes great and kids typically love to drink chocolate milk.
9. It Boosts Brain
A study found that the consumption of milk chocolate led to improvements in several cognitive functions, including memory, problem-solving, and attention span. Chocolate contains high levels of procyanidin and thiamin which is responsible for these benefits. Procyanidin reduces the inflammation in the brain while thiamin (vitamin B1) which energizes the brain.
10. Good for Heart
A recent study found the regular consumption of chocolate was correlated with a lower risk of heart disease and stroke. Figuratively high chocolate consumption is associated with 29% lower risks of heart diseases.
It can also improve heart health by lowering blood pressure, increasing blood flow to the brain, and decreasing the risk of blood clots. Also, calcium and fatty acids found in chocolate milk have other heart-healthy effects. So, chocolate milk is good for the heart.
Is Chocolate Milk Good For You?
It actually depends upon the health condition of an individual. Chocolate milk, as mentioned above contains a number of nutrients like Calcium, Vitamin D and Proteins. But on the other hand, it contains added sugar which is not actually good to diabetic people.
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