Drinking alcohol and flying can have a negative impact on the body, according to a study by researchers at the German Aviation Medical Center, DLR. In the study, healthy subjects were placed in either a sleep laboratory under normal air pressure or in a vacuum chamber with air pressure similar to that of an airplane cabin. They were allowed four hours of sleep per night for two nights. On the second night, they consumed alcohol equivalent to two glasses of wine or a bottle of beer.
The results showed that both low air pressure and alcohol consumption significantly lowered the subjects’ blood oxygen concentration, on average, to 85% of normal levels. This drop in oxygen content during sleep can have negative effects on the cardiovascular system, especially when combined with alcohol consumption.
Alcohol consumption and sleeping under negative pressure can put a significant strain on the cardiovascular system and may intensify symptoms in patients with heart and lung diseases. The researchers advise against consuming alcohol during air travel, as it can exacerbate the effects of low air pressure.
Furthermore, alcohol consumption under negative pressure also impaired participants’ sleep quality, resulting in a shorter duration of deep sleep compared to those who did not consume alcohol. Overall, the study highlights the negative effects of alcohol consumption and low air pressure during air travel on the body’s oxygen supply and cardiovascular system.
