Do’s and Dont's Of Drinking Water On Airplanes.

It is well known that traveling puts added stress on our immune system. Sitting in a cramped  airplane, breathing recycled air, sharing a bathroom with 250 strangers, and eating prepared foods with questionable nutritional value; it’s not surprising so many travelers have their immune system fail, and they get sick. There are precautions you can take to boost your immune system during a flight so you stay healthy.

Drinking water is a must! That does not mean, however, asking the airplane's flight attendant to refill your cup with tap water. No, terrible idea! When traveling avoid the water the airplane offers. It is tap water and often isn’t clean enough for you to be drinking.

Airplanes are supposed to refill their water tanks when landing and water quality at place of refilling should be compliant to standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency.  However, when testing an airplane's water supply, studies show that there have been cases where a bacteria known as coliform was found. The presence of coliform itself is not harmful to your immune system, but its presence indicates the possibility of harmful bacteria being present in the water.

Many cases of “travel diarrhea” occur because of harmful bacteria found in airplane water.  Symptoms of harmful bacteria are stomach cramps, diarrhea, and nausea. Just as you would not be drinking local water at your destination, do not drink airplane water on your way to your destination. This includes the brushing of teeth in the lavatory.

Now, this does not mean don’t drink water. It simply means do not drink the tap water.  It is imperative to your immune system that you stay hydrated while traveling. Please drink plenty of bottled water. Why? Your primary defense system against bacteria is the mucosal lining of your nose and throat.  At higher elevation humidity levels are significantly lower.  This causes your mucosal lining to dry up and in turn inhibits your immune system from being able to protect your body. Your first line of defense is now debilitated allowing bacteria to easily affect your immune system. Hence, you get sick.

Drinking plenty of water allows you to maintain that mucosal lining which in turn prevents your immune system from becoming compromised.  Your system is better protected if you are drinking small amounts of water throughout your flight rather than drinking a large amount of water beforehand.  In addition, to keep the water in your system avoid diuretics such as caffeine and alcohol.

Also, drinking water will force you to get up and go to the lavatory. This will prevent the onset of a condition known as Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), which is a condition where blood clots form in the legs because of a decreased blood flow, and this damages the one way valves in your veins.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            The only way to get blood moving to the heart from your veins is by muscle contractions. By getting up you move your muscles and in turn enable your immune system.

Bottom line, staying well hydrated will allow you to arrive at your destination healthy!