A recent study has revealed that alcohol consumption on flights can pose significant health risks, German researchers have suggested. Drinking alcohol, combined with sleep and the low oxygen levels at high altitudes, can lead to reduced blood oxygen saturation, an elevated heart rate, and a decline in sleep quality. These effects were observed in young and healthy participants, with even greater risks for older individuals and those with existing medical conditions.
The common practice among passengers on long-haul flights is to drink alcohol before sleeping, but this new study warns that it may pose health risks. The combination of alcohol consumption, sleep, and low oxygen levels challenges the cardiovascular system and prolongs periods of low blood oxygen levels (hypoxaemia).
Researchers from the German Aerospace Center’s Institute of Aerospace Medicine and Aachen University recommend that airlines limit the consumption of alcoholic drinks during flights to mitigate these risks. Study co-author Eva-Maria Elmenhorst emphasized the surprising strength of alcohol’s effects and recommended abstaining from alcohol while flying.
In-flight sleep already contributes to a decrease in blood oxygen saturation due to the reduced atmospheric pressure in aircraft cabins. With the additional factor of alcohol consumption, participants in lab tests experienced further decreases in blood oxygen saturation, increased heart rates, and reduced deep sleep.
The study revealed that even young and healthy individuals experienced clinically significant drops in blood oxygen saturation and increases in heart rate during sleep. The researchers warned that higher alcohol doses could intensify these effects, potentially raising the risk of health issues and medical emergencies during flight, particularly for older individuals and those with pre-existing medical conditions.
