Founder of Vidrate, Nick Hird, shares his expert tips for staying hydrated on aeroplanes and beating the heat on holiday – especially if you are keen to drink alcohol
British holidaymakers heading to sunny destinations are being advised to keep this one tip top of mind for their health and safety. To ensure you enjoy the summer heat responsibly, a hydration expert shares their best tips to stay safe and comfortable.
Nick Hird, founder of Vidrate, shares his tips on how to keep the whole family hydrated while flying, as well as during the rest of your trip. First and foremost, Nick says flying can be more dehydrating than people realise. “Cabin air is far drier than what we’re used to as planes are kept at lower humidity levels than a normal room, typically around 10-20% lower,” explains Nick.
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“As a result, your body loses more water through the skin and respiratory system faster, which can lead to a greater risk of dehydration, even on short-haul flights.”
However, while you may be inclined to gulp down water to reverse the damage Nick says this isn’t the solution. “Drinking large volumes of water in a short amount of time can actually be harmful due to the levels of sodium in your system diluting down to dangerous levels, which can induce nausea and even vomiting in some cases.”
He advises air passengers to instead sip on water over a longer period to prevent sodium levels from diluting. Supplementing hydration levels with electrolyte drinks before or during takeoff can also help.
Nick also stresses the importance of keeping children hydrated during travel to reduce their risk of travel-related illnesses. He suggests carrying a reusable water bottle as a simple way to promote hydration, keeping it full with “water, juice or child-safe electrolyte sachets”.
“Another way you can help keep children hydrated is by giving them water rich food to eat, such as watermelon, cucumbers and tomatoes,” says Nick. “These foods all have over 90% water content, so consuming them can contribute significantly to hydration.”
Finally, Nick says you should avoid food and drink that can increase dehydration – though some of these are holiday staples. “Alcohol, caffeine and sugar all have dehydrating effects, which can be amplified by high temperatures and increased activity levels on holiday,” he explains. However, you don’t need to cut these out completely.
Instead Nick recommends consuming alcoholic and caffeinated beverages in moderation. “These should be limited during the day and instead replaced with water or electrolyte drinks to help stay hydrated.”
He recommends a practice known as ‘zebra striping’ if you plan on drinking alcohol on holiday. The practice involves drinking a glass of water for every alcoholic drink you have and alternating between the two.
“This means that whilst the alcohol is having dehydrating effects, the water helps to prevent this from being too severe, helping you to remain hydrated and hopefully help with the hangover the next day too,” Nick concludes.