There is one drink you should never have before flying (Image: Getty)
There’s one popular drink that you may want to avoid when heading off on holiday, especially if you’re travelling by plane.
Experts at , have advised against opting for a coffee at the airport, arguing that while it may be the usual go-to for a quick energy boost, it can lead to some unpleasant side effects when flying.
One key reason coffee should be avoided, and potentially swapped out for a simple glass of water, is that it can actually dehydrate you, something that is perhaps not ideal before a long-haul flight.
Coffee is a diuretic, meaning it increases urine production, leading to more frequent trips to the bathroom. On a flight, the cabin air is already quite dry, causing your body to lose moisture faster than usual.
Adding coffee to the mix can exacerbate this, leaving you feeling dehydrated, tired, and more prone to headaches or dry skin during the flight.
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Coffee should be avoided before flying, according to some experts (Image: Getty)
Increased urine production means more frequent trips to the bathroom, which can be extremely inconvenient when flying, especially if you aren’t in the aisle seat, or you hit turbulence and toilet access becomes restricted.
For those with flight anxiety, the caffeine in a cup of coffee can intensify these feelings. Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system causing an increased heart rate and jitteriness.
These can in turn lead to heightened feelings of stress and nervousness, and if you’re already an anxious flyer then a cup of coffee may leave you feeling uncomfortable for the duration of your flight.
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With coffee being a popular morning drink, its ability to help wake you up is well known, but this means the drink should be avoided if you are hoping to get some sleeping done while on the plane.
Caffeine can remain in your system for several hours after enjoying a cup of coffee, meaning that even if you’re not typically sensitive to it, it can still impact your ability to sleep while flying to your destination.
Coffee can also cause digestive discomfort, something you’ll likely want to avoid while on a plane. The acidic nature of coffee means that it can lead to acid reflux, bloating, or nausea, and when combined with the changes in pressure during a flight can prove a rather unpleasant start for your holiday.