Omega-3 enriched chocolate milk: A functional drink to improve health during exhaustive exercise

Omega-3 enriched chocolate milk (O3ECM) has a suitable combination of proteins, electrolytes and carbohydrates for post-workout recovery. Herein, the effects of an O3ECM on biochemical parameters and muscle damage in sedentary rats submitted to a session of intense and acute exhaustive exercise was evaluated. Forty-eight male Wistar rats were divided into the following test groups: (a) sedentary rats fed a chocolate milk; (b) sedentary rats fed an O3ECM; (c) exercised rats fed a chocolate milk; and (d) exercised rats fed an O3ECM. After 15 days, the analysis of muscle damage and health parameters was performed. The results showed that the O3ECM consumption decreased the muscle damage (creatine kinase −20% and lactate dehydrogenase −18.7%), as well as increased the activity of endogenous enzymes (catalase +41%, superoxide dismutase +26.7% and glutathione peroxidase +35.7%) and decreased the total cholesterol (−7.8%) and triacylglycerols (−16.2%). Overall, O3ECM can minimize the deleterious effects of exhaustive exercise.