Toronto, May 27 (IANS) Women who drank two large glasses of milk daily
after their weight-lifting routine gained more muscle and lost more fat compared
to women who drank sugar-based energy drinks, says a new study.
"Resistance training is not a typical choice of exercise for women," says Stu
Phillips, professor in kinesiology (study of human movement) at McMaster
University.
"But the health benefits of resistance training are enormous: It boosts
strength, bone, muscular and metabolic health in a way that other types of
exercise cannot."
A previous study conducted by Phillips' lab showed that milk increased muscle
mass and fat loss in men.
This new study, says Phillips, was more challenging because women not only steer
clear of resistance training, they also tend to steer away from dairy products
based on the incorrect belief that dairy foods are fattening.
"We expected the gains in muscle mass to be greater, but the size of the fat
loss surprised us," says Phillips.
"We're still not sure what causes this but we're investigating that now. It
could be the combination of calcium, high-quality protein, and vitamin D may be
the key, and conveniently, all of these nutrients are in milk," said Phillips.
Over a 12-week period, the study monitored young women who did not use
resistance-training exercise.
Every day, two hours before exercising, the women were required not to eat or
drink anything except water.
Immediately after their exercise routine, one group consumed half litre of fat
free white milk; the other group consumed a similar-looking but sugar-based
energy drink. The same drinks were consumed by each group one hour after
exercising.
The training consisted of pushing (e.g. bench press, chest fly), pulling (e.g.
seated lateral pull down, abdominal exercises without weights), and leg
exercises (e.g. leg press, seated two-leg hamstring curl).
Training was monitored daily one on one by personal trainers to ensure proper
technique, said a McMaster University release.
"Our data show that simple things like regular weightlifting exercise and milk
consumption work to substantially improve women's body composition and health."
Phillips' lab is now following this study up with a large clinical weight loss
trial in women.
Source : South Asia Mail
