Chocolate milk shake - the very name of the drink suggests that it is not designed for athletes or people who keep their figure. But this is far from true - the richness of vitamins and minerals recharges the body and accelerates muscle recovery after heavy exercise, which gives the drink the potential to be part of a healthy and balanced diet.
100 g of chocolate milk shake contains: 119 kcal, equal to 5% of the Indicative Daily Intake (RDA); protein is only 3 g or less than 6% of ODP, and fat is 2.7 g - 4% of ODP. These values prove that the drink is not as harmful and caloric as it is thought.
The drink is also rich in choline - a compound of special importance for good nervous function. Through it, the body is able to synthesize acetylcholine - a neurotransmitter that supports brain function and regulates muscle control . Choline is important for metabolism and is responsible for maintaining healthy cell membranes. One shake contains 51 mg of choline, equivalent to 12% of ODP for women and 10% for men.
Calcium and phosphorus in the neck contribute to the formation of hydroxyapatite - a mineral that strengthens and hardens bones and teeth. Phosphorus nourishes cell membranes of various tissues and is involved in the construction of DNA, and calcium serves for neural communication. The chocolate milkshake contributes 40% of the ODP to calcium and 54% of the ODP to phosphorus - just one drink satisfies half the daily needs of these minerals.
The abundance of vitamin B 12 is also worth noting. This compound is needed for the synthesis of myelin - the protective sheath of nerve cells. Disruption of the myelin sheaths of nerve cells leads to loss or inaccurate transmission of electrical impulses that they conduct. The vitamin also increases the production of hemoglobin, which promotes blood circulation. One shake contains 1 mg of vitamin B12 - 42% of ODP.
Despite its undeniable benefits, the chocolate shake has some disadvantages. In the first place is the sugar content , which can reach 63 g in one drink. This can be easily avoided if prepared at home: an herbal sweetener such as stevia can be used instead of sugar, and low- fat milk can be used instead of whole milk . This will significantly reduce the sugar and fat content of the shake, which automatically makes the chocolate even tastier.