Does Flying Dehydrate You? 6 Air Travel Tips

Summer travel is expected to be busier than ever in the U.S. this year. If you’re planning a getaway, it’s important to be prepared and learn how to fend off a common travel condition—dehydration.

Many factors can contribute to dehydration, which occurs when the body loses more fluids and electrolytes than it takes in. But does flying cause dehydration?

The jury’s still out on a definitive answer to this question, but there are several reasons flying may lead to or exacerbate dehydration. Additionally, it can worsen the effects of jet lag. To enjoy your vacation to the fullest extent, it’s essential to stay properly hydrated.

DripDrop is an excellent solution to stay hydrated while traveling. The small, individual packets are easy to pack in any bag. Just add your favorite DripDrop flavor to your water bottle and experience the benefits of fast hydration and essential electrolytes.

Let’s explore why air travel can dehydrate you and how to stay hydrated while traveling.

Causes and Risk Factors for Air Travel Dehydration

The air inside an aircraft cabin is less humid than normal. Your home is likely between 30-60% humidity, while inside a plane, it can drop to less than 20%, and it can drop even lower during long flights.

Low humidity in general can lead to various impacts on health. When the cabin humidity reaches these levels, it can cause dry eyes, skin, throat, and nose. Though dry environments are not necessarily a major cause of dehydration, these conditions can cause you to lose water more quickly through breathing, and dry skin may struggle to retain moisture your body needs.

Some other factors that can lead to dehydration during air travel include:

• Travelers Tend to Drink Less Water: One survey of more than 200 travelers on long-distance flights found that the majority drank two cups of water or less when flying. Not drinking enough water leads to dehydration, especially on flights lasting more than four hours. Thus, travelers should hydrate before, during, and after a flight to maintain hydration.

• Drinking Alcohol and Caffeine In-Flight: The same survey found that roughly 60% of passengers preferred to drink caffeine during their flight, and 30% drank alcohol. Both caffeine and alcohol can have a diuretic effect, leading to dehydration if you’re not staying properly hydrated. It’s best to consume both in moderation or avoid completely.

• Dehydration Worsens Jet Lag: Jet lag is often unavoidable for travelers, especially during long-distance travel. Staying properly hydrated is commonly cited as a method to help avoid the nausea, lethargy, sluggishness, headache, and fogginess associated with jet lag.

Tips on How to Stay Hydrated While Traveling

Flying does dehydrate you to some extent because of the dry conditions inside the plane, but there are many steps you can take to remain hydrated while traveling. Even if you’re not traveling by plane, these are useful tips to keep in mind as many people tend to drink less water while traveling, leading to dehydration symptoms.

• Bring a Reusable Water Bottle. Carrying a reusable water bottle with you is a helpful physical reminder to drink more water. Refill stations are typically located throughout the airport to ensure you can sip throughout your travels.

• Bring electrolyte hydration packets. DripDrop is a convenient, delicious way to stay hydrated while traveling. Individual packets easily fit into a bag or backpack of any size, and the doctor-developed formula is packed with essential electrolytes your body needs to function. Made with the precise ratio of sodium to glucose, DripDrop initiates a hydration shortcut that allows your body to absorb fluid quicker than usual.

• Set Hydration Reminders. Remembering to drink water regularly can be challenging when we lead such busy lives. The stress of travel and change in routine can lead us to drink less fluids than normal. Setting a reminder on your phone can be an easy way to remind yourself to sip.

• Drink more water than normal. One aspect of planning ahead for your travel is to drink more water before you even leave for the airport. Typically, drinking two additional glasses of water a day a few days to a week before you leave is recommended—particularly if you’re traveling a long distance.

• Avoid caffeine and alcohol. Without staying properly hydrated, drinks with these ingredients can have a diuretic effect, causing you to lose more water and leading to dehydration. Limit your consumption while traveling or avoid altogether.

• Choose hydrating foods. Whether traveling by car or plane, it can be tempting to eat salty, fried foods along the highway or at the airport. To keep yourself hydrated while traveling, consume hydrating foods such as fruits and veggies to keep your fluid intake up.

DripDrop is a Carry-On Bag Essential

DripDrop is your go-to solution for fast hydration with a delicious taste. It’s easy to pack in any travel bag, making it accessible during your travels. This electrolyte powder mix is designed to unlock a hydration shortcut, causing your body to absorb water and electrolytes more quickly than normal. Plus, it’s available in a variety of delicious flavors.

Other reasons DripDrop is excellent for air travel:

• DripDrop is highly portable—it won’t take up valuable carry-on space.

• It’s easy-to-use—just add it to a bottle of water.

• DripDrop helps the body retain fluids, meaning fewer trips to the restroom during your flight.

• And DripDrop maximizes hydrating power—water fortified with DripDrop is more effective than plain water.

Whatever your travel plans, pack DripDrop and enjoy your vacation to the fullest.

Image via Flickr.