Influence of a carbohydrate drink on nutritional status, body composition and mood during desert training.

Background: Nutritional intake by military personnel is typically inadequate during field exercises, potentially compromising health and performance.

Hypothesis: Drinking a supplemental carbohydrate (CHO) beverage will increase total caloric intake and maintain nutritional status during military training in the desert.

Methods: A total of 63 volunteers were randomly assigned to one of two groups to receive either a CHO or placebo beverage with military rations during an 11-d desert field exercise.