ADM Creates Sports Recovery Application for Cocoa Powder Product

Chocolate milk has proven to be an excellent recovery aid after prolonged physical activity as it helps to replenish the nutrients that exercisers lose during a long workout. It also offers the added health benefits of calcium.

2 Dec 2010 --- ADM Cocoa is highlighting the use of cocoa powder in dairy-based chocolate flavour beverages, which can be consumed as an alternative to sugar-rich commercial sports recovery drinks. With the market for sports drinks in Western Europe expected to grow at a CAGR of 4 per cent by 2014, the opportunity to position dairy-based beverages as beneficial to sports recovery can help set manufacturers apart. ADM’s deZaan D21MC cocoa powder provides unique flavour and stability in long shelf life dairy-based recovery drinks, making them appeal to professional and amateur athletes alike.

Chocolate milk has proven to be an excellent recovery aid after prolonged physical activity as it helps to replenish the nutrients that exercisers lose during a long workout. It also offers the added health benefits of calcium. The higher carbohydrate content of chocolate milk compared to standard milk is thought to contribute to its performance. Other dairy-based sports recovery beverages can also benefit from the addition of high quality cocoa powder, such as deZaan D21MC, as its flavour can effectively mask the bitter taste of some protein-rich sports recovery beverages.

A key functional advantage of deZaan D21MC in dairy beverages is that it inhibits protein agglomeration and provides excellent stability against sedimentation, resulting in a smooth mouthfeel. Chocolate milk is an effective way of imparting appealing cocoa flavour, as the liquid provides a large surface area to which the flavour is exposed. In addition, deZaan cocoa powders confer particularly impactful colour and flavour, resulting in improved cost-in-use benefits over other powders.

Steve Laning, innovation director at ADM Cocoa, commented, “As active consumers and amateur athletes begin to appreciate the importance of sports nutrition, demand for great tasting mainstream products will continue to increase. Chocolate milk offers nutritional benefits during the recovery phase after physical activity, when the muscles need to be repaired and the body refuelled. “

“Chocolate milk or chocolate flavour dairy-based sports recovery drinks are a more palatable, convenient and cost-effective option than existing alternatives on the market. Our technical experts applied deZaan D21MC in this category to allow us to partner with manufacturers to create signature beverages that can be enjoyed by active consumers and easily incorporated into their fitness regime.”