Jeffrey Salazar
While it's important to stay hydrated before and during a flight, it's best to avoid carbonated drinks like diet soft drinks. The pressure in the cabin makes soft drinks foam up much more than they do normally, and the sweeteners in diet sodas lower the drink's surface tension, making the bubbles last longer. This makes it harder for flight attendants to pour quickly, and can also cause gas and heartburn.
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What You'll Learn
Diet soft drinks are difficult to pour on flights
While drinking diet soft drinks before a flight is not inherently harmful to your health, it is not recommended due to the difficulties in pouring these drinks on flights. Diet soft drinks are notoriously challenging to pour on flights due to their high fizziness and longer settling time. This is caused by the slightly higher viscosity of the drink, which produces more stable bubbles and a longer-lasting foam, according to McGill University. As a result, flight attendants may take longer to serve passengers, impacting their efficiency.
The change in air pressure in an airplane cabin can cause carbonated beverages like diet soft drinks to act differently, becoming foamier and bubblier. This increased fizziness can also be attributed to the lowered air pressure and dryness of the air in the cabin, which affects your taste and smell perception. The sweeteners in diet soft drinks, such as aspartame, also play a role in their pouring difficulty by lowering the drink's surface tension and promoting longer-lasting bubbles.
The high fizziness of diet soft drinks can lead to a longer settling time, causing frustration among passengers waiting to be served. This is supported by a flight attendant's experience shared on Reddit, who claimed that serving a single passenger a Diet Coke could take as long as serving three passengers other drinks. As a result, flight attendants may opt to hand out cans of Diet Coke for passengers to pour themselves, especially on full flights.
Additionally, the taste of diet soft drinks can be impacted by the change in air pressure, leading to a flatter and less appealing flavour. This was evident in an account shared by Seth Fritz, who noticed that his mid-flight Diet Coke tasted "completely flat and off." While the exact reason for this phenomenon is unclear, it is worth noting that the change in air pressure and cabin conditions can alter the taste and fizziness of carbonated beverages.
To summarize, while consuming diet soft drinks before a flight is not explicitly harmful, it is advisable to be aware of the challenges in pouring these drinks on flights due to their high fizziness and longer settling time. This information can help set realistic expectations for passengers and flight attendants alike, ensuring a smoother and more enjoyable flight experience for everyone involved.
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They can cause bloating and discomfort
While there are no explicit restrictions on consuming diet soft drinks before a flight, there are several reasons why it may be unwise to do so. Firstly, carbonated drinks can cause bloating and discomfort. The lowered air pressure in an aeroplane, coupled with the dryness of the air, can amplify these effects. This is because the change in air pressure affects the carbonation levels in soft drinks, making them even fizzier and foamier than usual. As a result, diet soft drinks can become challenging to pour and settle, leading to longer wait times for passengers.
The sweeteners in diet soft drinks, such as aspartame, can also contribute to bloating and discomfort. These artificial sweeteners can have a laxative effect, leading to digestive issues and increased gas. Additionally, they may not satisfy hunger cravings, potentially leading to overeating and discomfort during a flight.
Furthermore, the high sodium content of diet soft drinks can cause bloating and dehydration. The combination of sodium and carbonation can lead to fluid retention and swelling, exacerbating any discomfort experienced during the flight.
It is worth noting that the impact of diet soft drinks on bloating and discomfort may be heightened when consumed during a flight due to the unique environmental conditions, such as lowered air pressure and dry air. Therefore, while consuming diet soft drinks before a flight may not directly cause bloating and discomfort, it could contribute to or amplify these issues during the flight.
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They may not taste the same in the air
Diet soft drinks are not recommended for consumption before a flight because they may taste different in the air. This is due to the change in air pressure and cabin pressure, which can affect the carbonation and taste of the drink.
Firstly, the carbonation in diet soft drinks can lead to an upset stomach. The carbonation introduces additional air into the stomach, which can expand as the cabin air pressure declines. This can result in bloating and discomfort, especially during a long flight.
Secondly, the taste of the diet soft drink may be altered due to the high altitude and cabin pressure. The slightly higher viscosity of diet beverages produces more stable bubbles, which can affect the flavour and mouthfeel of the drink. This can lead to a longer-lasting foam and a flatter taste, which may be unappealing to some individuals.
Additionally, the low humidity levels in airplane cabins, ranging from 5 to 20 percent, can further impact the taste buds and perception of flavours. Dehydration caused by low humidity can also exacerbate symptoms of jet lag, such as fatigue and headaches.
To avoid potential taste changes and stomach discomfort, it is advisable to opt for non-carbonated beverages or water before and during your flight. Staying well-hydrated is crucial to counteracting the effects of low humidity and maintaining optimal health while flying.
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They can cause dehydration
While there's no shame in ordering your drink of choice when you fly, you might want to consider skipping a few options. Diet Coke, for example, may make your time onboard more uncomfortable. This is because airplanes are pressurized, but not to sea level, at about 7,000 feet. The change in pressure means that carbonated beverages act differently, and they're foamier and bubblier than they would be on the ground. This is due to the slightly higher viscosity of the diet beverages, which produces more stable bubbles, giving them a longer-lasting foam. This means they take longer to pour, with Diet Coke being the worst option.
While this is not a health issue, per se, it does cause frustration for flight attendants, who are in a time crunch to serve all passengers. The in-flight food also amplifies this issue. The lowered air pressure in the plane, plus the dryness of the air, causes your taste and smell perception to go down. To counteract that, the snacks and meals served on planes are often intentionally made with more salt to help give them more taste. However, ingesting too much salt can cause bloating and further dehydration.
Dehydration is already a concern on flights, as airplane cabins have low humidity levels, as low as 5 to 20 percent, which is lower than the Sahara Desert. On medium-to-long-haul flights, dehydration can exacerbate symptoms of jet lag, such as fatigue and headaches. To avoid dehydration, it is recommended to drink more water, which will help neutralize the sodium and rehydrate the cells throughout your body.
While it may be tempting to start your trip with an alcoholic drink, it is important to remember that consuming alcohol can also add to the dehydration that comes from flying. Therefore, it is advisable to limit alcoholic drinks and opt for water instead, especially if you plan to do some sightseeing or work after your flight.
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They can increase hunger and lead to overeating
While diet soft drinks may be a popular choice for those looking to cut down on calories, they may not be the best option before a flight. One reason for this is that they can increase hunger and lead to overeating.
The artificial sweeteners used in diet soft drinks, such as aspartame, have been linked to increased appetite and calorie intake. Research has shown that artificial sweeteners may not satisfy hunger cravings, causing people to eat more after consuming diet soft drinks. This can lead to unintended weight gain and negatively impact overall health.
Additionally, the high sodium content of diet soft drinks can contribute to dehydration, especially when combined with the low humidity levels in airplane cabins. Dehydration can further enhance feelings of hunger and thirst, leading to excessive eating or drinking during or after the flight.
Furthermore, the carbonation in diet soft drinks can cause bloating and discomfort. The lowered air pressure in the plane can make these drinks even fizzier, leading to increased gas and a bloated stomach. This can be uncomfortable and may exacerbate any pre-existing digestive issues.
To avoid these issues, it is advisable to opt for other beverage choices before a flight. Water is always a healthy option, and certain fruits, such as oranges or bananas, can help regulate blood pressure and boost immunity. Lean protein sources like non-fat yogurt, turkey, or chicken can also promote satiety and support brain function.
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Frequently asked questions
The pressure in the cabin makes soft drinks foam up much more than they do normally, with Diet Coke named as the "worst culprit". This means that it takes longer to pour and you might slow down the service.
Flight attendants avoid drinking coffee or tea as they are made with tap water, which comes from the airplane's water tanks and is rarely cleaned. They also avoid foods that affect their breath, like tuna and garlic, and foods that might induce allergic reactions, like peanuts.
Quinoa is a good option to combat altitude discomfort as it is rich in fiber and iron. Nuts are also a good choice as they provide a blend of fats and protein, offering longer-lasting satiety. It is also important to stay hydrated, so make sure to drink plenty of water before, during, and after your flight.
Fried foods can trigger heartburn and lead to bloating or swelling during your flight due to their high fat and sodium content. Legumes can also cause bloating and discomfort as they contain a sugar that the human body struggles to fully digest. It is best to avoid foods that are high in sodium as they can cause dehydration and bloating.
