Experts Urge Holidaymakers to Take This Simple Step Before Flying This Summer
With summer in full swing, many of us are jetting off on holidays to sunnier destinations. However, many people won’t be aware that flying can have a detrimental effect on your hydration.
Nick Hird, founder of Vidrate and hydration expert, shares his tips on how to keep the whole family hydrated whilst flying, as well as during the rest of your trip.
Reduce the hidden effects of flying
Nick explains: “Cabin air is far drier than what we’re used to as planes are kept at lower humidity levels than a normal room, typically around 10-20% lower. As a result, your body loses more water through the skin and respiratory system faster, which can lead to a greater risk of dehydration, even on short-haul flights.
“If you feel dehydrated, reaching for a large bottle of water and downing it in one go isn’t the answer. Drinking large volumes of water in a short amount of time can actually be harmful due to the levels of sodium in your system diluting down to dangerous levels, which can induce nausea and even vomiting in some cases.
“Alternatively, it is best to sip on water over a longer period of time to prevent your sodium levels from diluting. You can also supplement your hydration levels by consuming an electrolyte drink when on your flight or before boarding the plane.”
And with electrolyte powders costing around £1 a sachet, with Vidrate’s options on Amazon including an 8-pack of sachets for £8.95, 20 pack for £16.95, or a 30 pack for £24.95 at such a small price, it really is worth getting some packed!
Keeping children hydrated
Nick shares: “Keeping children hydrated, whether flying on a plane or whilst soaking up the sun by the poolside, is important to keep them happy, healthy, and less prone to travel-related illnesses. A simple way to encourage them to drink more water is by taking a reusable bottle on holiday and keeping it topped up with water, juice or child-safe electrolyte sachets to help prevent them from becoming dehydrated.
“Another way you can help keep children hydrated is by giving them water rich food to eat, such as watermelon, cucumbers and tomatoes. These foods all have over 90% water content, so consuming them can contribute significantly to hydration.”
Beat the heat
Nick says: “Alcohol, caffeine and sugar all have dehydrating effects, which can be amplified by high temperatures and increased activity levels on holiday. As a result, these should be limited during the day and instead replaced with water or electrolyte drinks to help stay hydrated. Drinking a full glass of water as soon as you wake up and before you go to bed is also integral to keeping dehydration symptoms at bay.
“If you are drinking alcohol on holiday, you should try ‘zebra striping’ – this involves drinking a glass of water for every alcoholic drink you have and alternating between the two. This means that whilst the alcohol is having dehydrating effects, the water helps to prevent this from being too severe, helping you to remain hydrated and hopefully help with the hangover the next day too.”
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