Post-workout nutrition is a big field of study. I have tried post-workout meals both with or without carbs, and I never felt much of a difference. A new masters thesis on this has some interesting results.
The thesis found that post-workout carbs actually increased inflammation, continuing up to 24 hours later. Carbs also increased muscle soreness. Specifically, the study "shows further evidence that carbohydrate intake has the ability to augment inflammation even when the initial inflammatory response is small."
So it turns out that post-workout carbs are good - for increasing inflammation!
