mfosterftw
10/3/2007, 08:55 AM
Oooooookay...
Let's Call It Badgerade
By JJ HERMES
Looking for a profitable use for pounds and pounds of coagulated milk residue? The cheeseheads at the University of Wisconsin at Madison may have an answer: Turn it into a sports drink.
Scientists and plant technicians in America's Dairyland have concocted a beverage containing whey protein, a byproduct of cheesemaking, which they say gives their intercollegiate athletes an edge in refueling after workouts. The university's football, basketball, and hockey teams have had access to the beverage since last summer.
Whey proteins are rich in amino acids, especially branched-chain amino acids, which "metabolize directly in muscles" and are great for muscle building and repair, says K.J. Burrington, a researcher at the Wisconsin Center for Dairy Research who helped develop the drink. Each eight-ounce serving has nine grams of protein. The product, being dispensed to Badger athletes under the decidedly uncatchy name "Recovery Drink," comes in two flavors: orange and strawberry.
Wisconsin could follow in the footsteps of the University of Florida, which began collecting royalties on an electrolyte-infusing beverage under similar circumstances in 1972. Gatorade royalties have since brought in more than $80-million for the university. "Some people have inquired about it," says Ms. Burrington about Wisconsin's drink, but added, "it's kind of nice that it's available only to athletes at our university."
Let's Call It Badgerade
By JJ HERMES
Looking for a profitable use for pounds and pounds of coagulated milk residue? The cheeseheads at the University of Wisconsin at Madison may have an answer: Turn it into a sports drink.
Scientists and plant technicians in America's Dairyland have concocted a beverage containing whey protein, a byproduct of cheesemaking, which they say gives their intercollegiate athletes an edge in refueling after workouts. The university's football, basketball, and hockey teams have had access to the beverage since last summer.
Whey proteins are rich in amino acids, especially branched-chain amino acids, which "metabolize directly in muscles" and are great for muscle building and repair, says K.J. Burrington, a researcher at the Wisconsin Center for Dairy Research who helped develop the drink. Each eight-ounce serving has nine grams of protein. The product, being dispensed to Badger athletes under the decidedly uncatchy name "Recovery Drink," comes in two flavors: orange and strawberry.
Wisconsin could follow in the footsteps of the University of Florida, which began collecting royalties on an electrolyte-infusing beverage under similar circumstances in 1972. Gatorade royalties have since brought in more than $80-million for the university. "Some people have inquired about it," says Ms. Burrington about Wisconsin's drink, but added, "it's kind of nice that it's available only to athletes at our university."