Do you drink alcohol on an airplane? Well, we have news for you
There's nothing wrong with having a glass of wine before your vacation and relaxing. However, you should be aware that the consequences of drinking alcohol on an airplane are a little different than a beer at the local pub or at home.
Martin Preston, an addiction specialist at Delamere, a private rehabilitation clinic, explains what happens to the body when you drink alcohol on board an airplane.
Alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream faster
Drinking on board an airplane will make you drunk much faster.
"The reason for this is not because the drinks on the plane contain more alcohol, but because it is absorbed into your bloodstream faster because of the cabin pressure and lower oxygen levels in your blood," says Preston.
Risk of dehydration
You also get dehydrated quickly because the air on an airplane is usually dry. Preston warns that "when we get dehydrated, and this is combined with the diuretic effect of alcohol, in some cases it can lead to dizziness and even loss of consciousness."
Alcohol clouds the mind
"The low air quality on airplanes alone can make us feel sluggish because the brain can be sensitive to a lack of oxygen," says Preston.
"However, when you combine this with alcohol, it exacerbates this even further, leading to feelings of fatigue or impaired cognitive ability," he adds.
Alcohol alters behavior
Drinking alcohol, as we all know, can affect our ability to judge and "take the brakes off," and we may feel these effects more strongly on an airplane. A person may behave disrespectfully, shout, and lose control. It can also disturb or harm other passengers.
Can cause sleep disturbances
Alcohol can help you fall asleep faster, or maybe vice versa. The expert advises that if you are flying a long distance and hope to get some rest on the plane, it is better to refrain from alcohol altogether. Sleep will not help you recover because it will not be deep. Therefore, for all the above reasons, it is better to choose juice or a can of diet cola.
