Best News Ever.

According to Jim Stoppani, a little bit of glucose on your way out of the gym is actually beneficial to work out recovery!

"...after a workout you need to supplement with high-glycemic carbs to replenish glycogen. That way you'll have enough energy for your next workout. I recommend gummy bears and Wonka Pixy Stix because they are mainly made of glucose, which your body easily turns into glycogen.
These carbs will also quickly spike your insulin levels and drive nutrients into your hungry muscles. This helps with recovery, repair, and muscle growth. Another great and easy option is pure dextrose powder."

Did he just say to eat gummy bears?? This guys is full of crap right? What crazy site is this dude from?

Bodybuilding.com actually. And he's got quite the resume:

PhD: Exercise physiology with a minor in biochemistry - University of Connecticut.
Post Doc:  John B. Pierce Laboratory and Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology - Yale University School of Medicine

For more:
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/jim-stoppani.htm
http://www.jimstoppani.com/more-workout

I think most of us know that you need protein after a workout to rebuild the muscles you've torn (<- not an injury, your muscle tears when you lift and the rebuilding is what adds size). But simple carbs like sugar?? I have actually heard the phrase “replenish your glycogen” quite a bit in my life. My dad is a research professor at OSU in the human nutrition department and any time eating was delayed following a work out he’d impatiently whine that he had to replenish his glycogen… like I had any idea what that meant. Eventually I started saying it too. Still didn't know what it means.

Still don’t really fully understand it, but what I do know is that it’s an excuse to indulge in something sweet!

Okay, not really, because if you do a protein powder that has some sugar you may have gotten what you need.

But still.

**Addendum made on 1/9/18: following my post entitled "Sweet Science" it is worth noting the difference between glucose and other forms of sugar. I was glad to look back and see that I had specified which form of sugar was recommended. Fructose, for example, will not have this same effect.