Best Sports Recovery Drink

Endurox R4 is the best recovery drink mix that I have been able to find.
It contains a great ratio of carbs to protein and with only 1 gram of fat in the mix, there's not enough to slow digestion. The ingredients are all very quick absorbing forms of carbs and protein, which is perfect for a post exercise drink.
There are several "recovery drinks" out there that include a high fat content, which will drastically slow digestion and ruin the whole purpose of a recovery drink.
The two most important aspects of a recovery drink are the carb sources and protein source... I'll start with a review of the carbs.

Endurox R4 contains a few key sources of carbs, which absorb quickly to create the necessary insulin spike. Those sources are maltodextrin, sucrose and a small amount of dextrose. The dextrose will absorb quicker than the rest, as it doesn't require any digestion. The maltodextrin is next and sucrose last to hit the blood stream.
As a side note, there are studies that show absorption of carbs is optimized if supplied in different forms.

Ok, next is the protein content. Whey protein concentrate is the form chosen for R4. Ideally, they would have used whey isolate for its extremely quick absorption rates. However, concentrate is not too far off. It still absorbs into the body very quickly, and is easy on digestion.


WHAT'S IN IT?
Endurox R4 contains a great blend of rapidly digesting carbs (53g/serving), protein (13g/serving) and several electrolytes/minerals. Containing vitamin C, Endurox also provides antioxidants to aid in recovery.
While I prefer a slightly higher amount of protein in a recovery drink, studies do show their ratio to be ideal. Either way, Endurox R4 has the best mix of ingredients that I've found, compared to all other recovery drinks.


WHAT IS IT GOOD FOR?
Recovery of course! Strenuous exercise puts small tears in your muscles, uses up valuable glycogen stores and breaks down muscle for protein. R4 utilizes a proper mix of important ingredients to quickly replace glycogen stores, vital amino acids and electrolytes. A good recovery drink like R4 also significantly increases protein and glycogen synthesis, therefore speeding up recovery and maximizing your muscle gains.


WHO SHOULD TAKE IT?
Recovery drinks are not just for bodybuilders! Anyone that performs at least 45 minutes of exercise can greatly benefit from a recovery drink. Without the proper form of nutrition right after a workout, your body will not get what it needs at the right time to maximize it's ability to heal and adapt.


WHEN and HOW TO TAKE IT:
The best time to consume a recovery drink, is immediately after a workout. At the latest, it should be consumed within 20 minutes for optimum results. There is a small window of opportunity following a workout, where your body is primed to readily absorb nutrients for repair. It's really a one hour window, but the benefits your body receives rapidly decline, the further into that hour you get.
As far as how to take it... Mix one serving of powder with 16 ounces of water.