Milk it, for all its worth.

'Milk is high in whey protein, a rich source of the amino acid tryptophan.

Studies indicate whey can decrease physiological responses to stress, enhance mood, and even improve memory performance.

Here's one example: A joint 2002 study by Dutch and Yale University researchers, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, showed that whey increases the brain's ratio of plasma tryptophan, which leads to greater production of the brain chemical serotonin and boosts mood.

Better yet, the researchers remarked that whey has the potential to enhance cognitive performance during times of stress; you are more alert and less frazzled.

Plus, research connects whey protein with promoting weight loss, especially if you have some milk after exercise.

To that end, a 2005 study published in the journal Nutrition suggested that whey protein can play an important role in discouraging hepatic fatty acid synthesis.

Translation: You accumulate less body fat because the whey stimulates muscle tissue to burn more fat during exercise.'

In the Mood for Milk