Recovery allows the body to adapt to the stress put on it during exercise, repair body tissue, and therefore build stronger muscles over time. During exercise, your muscle cells are damaged with tiny tears, and inflammation increases from the soreness that you feel after a workout. The recovery process allows this damage to heal and inflammation to decrease, all while improving cardiovascular health and muscle strength. Consumption of protein and carbohydrates during recovery helps heal muscle damage, increases muscle glycogen, and promotes muscle protein synthesis.