28 September 2024
Before you grab that pre-flight coffee, consider how it might impact your travel experience. While coffee is a go-to for a quick energy boost, it can lead to some unpleasant side effects when flying.
A leading travel expert, has compiled a list of reasons why skipping that coffee before takeoff could make your holiday much more enjoyable.
- Dehydration: Coffee is a diuretic, meaning it increases urine production, leading to more frequent trips to the bathroom. On a flight, the cabin air is already quite dry, causing your body to lose moisture faster than usual. Adding coffee to the mix can exacerbate this, leaving you feeling dehydrated, tired, and more prone to headaches or dry skin during the flight.
- Increased Anxiety: For those who experience anxiety while flying, the caffeine in coffee can intensify these feelings. Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, which can increase heart rate and jitteriness, worsening feelings of stress or nervousness. If you’re already an anxious flyer, coffee might make it harder to relax, leading to heightened discomfort during the flight.
- Disturbed Sleep: Many hope to sleep on a plane, especially during long flights or when adjusting to a new time zone. However, caffeine can stay in your system for several hours, making it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep. Even if you’re not highly sensitive to caffeine, drinking coffee before a flight could disrupt your ability to rest, affecting your energy levels when you reach your destination.
- Digestive Discomfort: Coffee is acidic, and drinking it before a flight, particularly on an empty stomach, can irritate your digestive system. This irritation could lead to issues like acid reflux, bloating, or nausea, which are particularly uncomfortable on an airplane. Pressure changes during a flight can further affect digestion, making any discomfort worse and potentially impacting the start of your holiday.
- Frequent Bathroom Breaks: Coffee’s diuretic effect means you’ll likely need to visit the bathroom more often, which can be inconvenient on a plane. With limited restroom access and often long queues, you may find yourself uncomfortable or forced to wait. This is especially problematic during turbulence or take-off/landing, when bathroom access is restricted, adding unnecessary stress to your journey.
A spokesperson from Ski Vertigo who carried out the research commented on the findings: “Skipping coffee before a flight isn’t just about avoiding the jitters; it’s about making better choices for your comfort and wallet. Many airports in the UK charge premium prices for coffee, and cutting it out can save you a few pounds. Instead, focus on hydrating with free water stations, now available in most UK airports, which can also help avoid dehydration while flying.
“A great tip is to pack a reusable water bottle to fill up after security. This not only helps with hydration but also saves you from buying overpriced bottled water at the airport. Consider bringing healthy snacks, like nuts or fruit, that won’t irritate your stomach, so you won’t be tempted to buy expensive or greasy airport food, which could cause discomfort during the flight. By being mindful of these simple adjustments, you’re improving your travel experience without breaking the bank.”
