Nutritional habits of professional team sport athletes: An insight into the carbohydrate, fluid, and caffeine habits of English Premier League football players during match play

Mean carbohydrate intake during match-play was 17 ± 11 g.h.

• Players preferred carbohydrate-containing fluids (58%) over semi-solids (38%) and solids (14%).
• Carbohydrate intake was significantly lower than players reported during initial consultation (17 ± 11 vs 24.8 ± 11 g.h, < 0.001).
• Fluid intake averaged 0.45 ± 0.14 L.h, with 54% from water, 40% from carbohydrate solutions, and 6% from electrolyte-only solutions.
• Ninety-one percent of players met UEFA guidelines for fluid consumption.
• Fifty-five percent of players consumed caffeine, averaging 233 ± 148 mg, aligning with UEFA guidelines.
• Caffeine capsules (42%) and fluids (30%) were preferred before warm-ups, with caffeine gum exclusively used at kick-off and half-time.

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