"May Day" is approaching, and many people will choose to fly to visit relatives or travel. For those who experience discomfort such as dizziness, chest tightness, nausea, and vomiting during a flight, Bi Xun, Director of the Nutrition Department at the Affiliated Hospital of the Medical College of the Chinese People's Armed Police Force, believes this is related to improper diet before flying. The following points should be noted specifically: do not overeat and eat less greasy food.
The blood supply to the gastrointestinal tract is relatively reduced in the air, and digestive function is weakened. Eating too much or consuming too many greasy foods before a flight can not only easily lead to indigestion but also increase the burden on the heart and blood circulation, causing dizziness and nausea. In severe cases, it can lead to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular accidents. Do not fly on an empty stomach.
High-altitude flight increases the consumption of blood sugar, and an empty stomach can easily lead to hypoglycemia, causing discomfort such as dizziness, palpitations, and sweating. Eat less "gas-producing" food.
Before boarding, eating too many "gas-producing" foods like sweet potatoes, chives, celery, garlic, radishes, and drinking carbonated drinks, beer, etc., can cause the gas in the gastrointestinal tract to expand after the plane ascends and the air pressure drops, leading to chest tightness and bloating. Eat sweets appropriately.
During a flight, especially for first-time flyers, the body's sugar consumption increases due to mental stress and hypoxia. Appropriately eating sweets such as candy, chocolate, and jam before flying helps maintain the body's blood sugar level and energy supply, and enhances the ability to tolerate hypoxia in the air.