Image: iStock.

A team of scientists have developed what they believe to be the best post-workout beverage.

Using advice from specialists in athletics and nutrition, a team at Cornell University have named a formulation very close to humble chocolate milk as being the ‘gold standard’ when it comes to post-workout recovery drinks. Excuse us while we go and happy dance.

Provided the milk  is low fat, the team have stated that drinks like chocolate milk consumed after a workout are actually far more beneficial than any protein powder or beverage on the market for muscle recovery. (Post continues after gallery.)

How Mia Freedman makes her green smoothie...

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Personal trainer and health coach Kirsty Welsh says that protein is important to both men and women regardless of whether they’re working out or not:

“Protein keeps out bodies functioning. We need it daily. What happens when we work out is that we develop micro tears in the muscles which repair and help us get stronger.”

Related: The ultimate workout for when you’ve only got 10 minutes.

Kirsty explains that a lot of women avoid protein-based products because they worry about “bulking up”, but this isn’t actually the case. “On a normal day we should be consuming about 0.8gm of protein per kilo of body weight, so for a woman of say, 60kgs, you’re looking at about 48gm of protein. On days that you work out it should be more.”

The increase in protein on workout days differs depending on the intensity of the activity.

“Strength work creates more break down of the muscle so you require more protein to build it back up. The range is between 1.4gm to 2.0gm for both men and women on high intensity days,” Kirsty says.

Chocolate milk could be the best thing for you post work-out. Image: istock

The idea is actually nothing new. Back in 2006, scientists from Indiana University in the US found that chocolate milk far outperformed well-known sports drinks when it came to assisting athletes after competing or working out.

Related:Would you pay $800 for these second-hand gym pants? 

While it might sound like great news for chocolate loving gym bunnies, we should also be looking to other options when it comes to our post gym beverages. "I understand the appeal of chocolate milk-based drinks. We all have a preference for flavour but the health coach in me wonders whether you should look to more natural products for flavouring".

We'll leave what you drink up to you...

10 foods you never knew were healthy

Bread

KATIE THOMSITT, Dieticians Australia spokesperson says: "Lots of people shy away from bread to achieve weight loss. But bread is such an important source of fibre, and plays such a helpful role in weight loss and preventing bowel cancer. A couple of slices of a dark, seedy bread per day is absolutely fine."

Cheese

KATIE SAYS: "Cheese is definitely a higher fat source of dairy, but still a good dairy fat. Choose low-fat options if you have it regularly, otherwise consume it in moderation. One serve of dairy is 30g, so a couple of slices is absolutely fine."

Chocolate

KARA LANDAU, The Travelling Dietician says: "Studies have been able to show that dark chocolate can improve insulin sensitivity, reduce blood pressure in healthy individuals, protect against heart disease, and improve HDL good cholesterol (not a bad start for such a tasty food!). Dark chocolate also contains polyphenols, whilst white chocolate does not. These polyphenolic compounds are able to relax blood vessels allowing for better blood circulation, and thereby assisting with the maintenance of healthy blood pressure levels."

Coffee

KATIE SAYS: "Coffee is a really good snack, in particular if its milk-based to get the dairy in - for example, a skim latte. As long as its in moderation - daily guidelines say a maximum of three per day! And you want lots of water on top of that."

Eggs

KARA SAYS: "Yes, even the yolks are good for you! Healthy fat soluble vitamins, as well as half the protein found in an egg, are all found in the yolk!"

Avocado

KATIE SAYS: "Avocado is a healthy fat. Lots of people think its high-fat and not good for you, but its rich in mono unsaturated fats, which give you protection against heart disease. It also helps with controlling lower cholesterol levels."