The Impact of Alcohol on Your Body During Flights

Enjoying a few drinks while flying might be a common way to pass the time, but the effects of alcohol at high altitudes differ significantly from those experienced at sea level.

Recent research highlights that consuming alcohol while flying can have a pronounced impact on your blood oxygen levels, heart rate, and sleep quality. The study involved two groups of participants: one group abstained from alcohol, while the other consumed the equivalent of two drinks, either beer or wine. To simulate the conditions of a flight at 30,000 feet, some participants spent the night in a standard sleep chamber, while others slept in an altitude chamber.

Flying alone, even without alcohol, leads to a decrease in blood oxygen and heart rate. However, when alcohol is added to the mix, these effects are amplified. Blood oxygen levels can drop to 85 percent (with a healthy range being 95 percent and above), and heart rate can increase by nearly 20 beats per minute.

If you find yourself feeling unusually sluggish, low on energy, or experiencing poor sleep after a flight, the in-flight drinks may be to blame. For most healthy individuals, these effects are typically short-term and should not have a lasting impact on overall health. However, for those with heart conditions or higher health risks, the combination of alcohol and high altitude could place additional stress on the body, necessitating caution.

In summary, while the occasional drink on a flight may not cause significant harm for most people, being aware of its heightened effects at high altitudes is important, especially for those with underlying health concerns.