Armed Forces to use new Lucozade drink

The British armed forces are to carry Lucozade in their ration packs following a deal between the Ministry of Defence and GlaxoSmithKline to supply troops with a new version of the energy drink.

Powdered “Body Fuel” sport drinks, part of the Lucozade Sport range, have been added to the menu for squaddies in the field after the Government signed a &£1.5m, three-year deal with the manufacturer.

The latest version of the isotonic energy drink was developed at the Lucozade Sport Science Academy (LSSA) by nutritionists and scientists.

Stickpacks containing the powdered carbohydrate- electrolyte drink are available via the internet to the public, and will be launched through specialist retailers and chemists later this year.

The packaging of the drink also comes with a “P chart”, a colour code allowing soldiers to check their hydration levels by studying the colour of their urine.

The Government decided to add the isotonic drink to ration packs to combat fatigue and dehydration.

“We have been aware of the importance of getting the right combination of energy and nutrients from the food that soldiers eat,” says defence secretary John Reid. “It is only recently that we have started to examine the science behind what our soldiers drink.”

The LSSA has also developed sports drinks for the Professional Footballers’ Association and the Association of Tennis Professionals that comply with anti-doping laws.