5. Conclusions
Milk, milk, abdominal pain
HEAT
Voluntary drinking of skimmed lactose-free milk or plain water was sufficient to maintain euhydration during 90 min of moderate-intensity exercise in the heat. Milk was more efficient, requiring a smaller volume than water, thanks to lower urine output. A few GI disturbances were higher when drinking milk: thick saliva, belching, and abdominal pain, but their average scores were low, and the only significant Odds Ratio, belching, was actually favorable to milk vs. water. Lactose-free skim milk is hereby documented to be a suitable, effective hydration beverage for 90 min of moderate cycling in the heat. A more demanding exercise, requiring higher fluid intake, may give different results.