4 Tips to beat the dreaded ‘Jet Bloat’ on flights
updated the 16 April 2018 à 00:49If you’ve always dreaded flying purely because of how uncomfortably bloated you feel after a flight, you’re not alone.
If you’ve ever stepped off a flight feeling oddly bloated, you’re not alone. (And no – it’s not that slightly dubious airplane breakfast you’ve just wolfed down hours before).
Called ‘jet bloat’, there is a science behind that discomfiting bloat you feel during or after a flight: apparently, as the air pressure increases so does the air in your stomach. In fact, as Peter Hackett, MD, explains to Conde Nast Traveler, “gas in the intestines will expand about 30% with a cabin altitude of 7000 feet”. Who knew?
And that’s not all; flying can wreak havoc on your body in other ways. Your irregular eating patterns and habits, sleep schedule all affect your digestion, which leads to constipation. On top of the jet bloat you’re already wrestling with, it’s therefore unsurprising how uncomfortable long-haul flights can feel down south.
Which is why keeping things in check from within is key – so if you want to pick up a few tips to beat the jet bloat, read on below!
HOW TO BEAT THE (JET) BLOAT
Avoid carbonated drinks and fried foods. That fatty meal and soda might sound tempting mid-flight, but flying can exert stress on your digestive system. Play it safe with non-carbonated drinks and healthier food options – trust us when we say it helps with the bloat.
Probiotics. Soon-to-be-Duchess Meghan Markle swears by this tip on her now-defunct lifestyle blog The Tig. She advises taking a high-strain probiotic and drinking tons of water along with it “like you’re dying of thirst”, in her own words. Besides easing the bloat, this handy tip keeps your gut health in check and eliminates jet lag. Pretty neat stuff.
Walk around every few hours. Walking around every now and then not only helps in easing your intense bloating, it also relieves any soreness you might be feeling during the flight.
And lastly, stay hydrated! It might mean more bathroom breaks, but drinking sufficient amounts of water is the cure to a multitude of sins. Not only does it help with jet bloat, drinking it regularly throughout your flight keeps your skin from feeling dry and itchy.
Sarah Khan
Photos: Getty Images
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