Scientists based at University College Dublin are investigating hydrolysate, which is a protein and carbohydrate combination derived from dairy, to see if it will enhance metabolic responses in the body and aid faster recovery from exercise. The results will be compared with other protein and carbohydrate drinks.
Eating a combination of carbohydrate and protein sources soon after exercise is seen as the optimal recovery meal, because it provides glucose (sugar) and amino acids, says FHI boss Jens Bleiel.
Enormous dividends
“The type of protein can also affect the insulin response to the meal, and understanding how insulin works and how it influences metabolic processes during recovery can pay enormous dividends for athletes,” he adds.
Insulin, which controls blood glucose levels and the pathways of muscle growth, also has the potential to speed recovery and build lean body mass, Bleiel claims.
Exercise induced stress on the body, includes energy depletion, muscle damage and inflammation, he adds. “The replenishment of muscle fuel stores and the repair, growth and remodelling of muscle are the two main processes which are the subject of much research and directly influenced by nutrient intakes during recovery from exercise and sports performance.”
Recovery research
The research will aim to identify the bioactive ingredients in milk that can accelerate post-exercise recovery, which will be targeted at the sports nutrition market, says Bleiel.
“We see a strong trend in sports nutrition to substantiate new products with excellent scientific rationale proving a benefit for performance athletes in high quality human intervention studies.”
Dairy ingredients firm Carbery, which is also an FHI partner, adds: “As the market for global nutrition grows, so too does the need for robust science to support the health claims.”