Imagine you're having breakfast at a restaurant or just chilling at home, and someone comes to you with a glass of hot chocolate milk. Wouldn't with the sweet and subtle aroma make you go absolutely crazy? Of course, it would! After all, who can ignore that smooth, rich, chocolaty flavor that just sets your tastebuds on fire?
Andrea Piacquadio/Pexels | Chocolate milk is something almost everyone loves, but how good is it for health?
But have you ever wondered if the chocolate milk you've been sipping on for ages is, in fact, beneficial for you?
Chocolate Milk Nutrition
Chocolate milk isn't very different from normal milk. It comes in the forms of whole (3.5% fat by weight), 2%, 1%, and skim. An eight-ounce container of this sweet treat (especially Organic Valley's 1% chocolate milk) contains 150 calories, 23 gms of carbohydrate (including 10 gms of added sugar), 2.5 gms of fat, and 8 gms of protein. This beverage also includes 10% potassium, 15% vitamins A and D, 30% B vitamin, and 20% calcium. As per The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), eight ounces of low-fat chocolate milk offers up to 7.4 ounces of water, meaning you don't even have to worry about hydration too.
Sarahdoow/Getty Images | Chocolate milk isn't a lot different from normal milk, in fact, in has almost the same nutrients
Chocolate Milk's Impact on Health
When it comes to chocolate milk and health outcomes in adults, there's a serious lack of awareness.
As per a 2018 study published in the “British Medical Journal (BMJ),” there's no link between regular consumption of dairy products and less risk of bone fracture. Instead, an older study from the same journal says it might even lead to a higher death rate. Another 2019 study from the “Advances in Nutrition” journal reveals that there is no association between dairy product consumption and the risk of all-cause mortality. Overall, since we don't consume chocolate milk daily, we can afford to ignore these points.
Recovery and Chocolate Milk
You might be consuming chocolate milk to satisfy your sugar cravings, but in reality, it's long been associated with recovery. Yep, that's right! Research on cyclists, climbers, and other sportsmen, has shown that chocolate milk gives more energy when compared to water and other higher carb drinks.
Pavel Danilyuk/Pexels | Many pieces of research on cyclists, climbers, and other sportsmen, have shown that chocolate milk gives more energy compared to water
Bottom Line!
Since there's a lack of research on chocolate milk consumption and its health outcomes, it's best for you to occasionally consume it as a sweet treat. Drinking large amounts of this drink might lead to some health repercussions too, so be smart and choose health above all else.
