Buzz
After stepping off a plane, many travelers feel relief from the cramped cabin and the not-so-great movie. However, some may still experience discomfort, such as bloating or the urge to pass gas. Here's why this happens.
Post-flight gas, sometimes humorously referred to as HAFE (High-Altitude Flatus Expulsion), occurs due to basic physics. While flying, the air pressure drops as altitude rises. With air already present in the digestive system, and sometimes more due to swallowed air or gas produced by certain foods, the decrease in pressure causes these gases to expand, leading to the natural release of gas.
Rapidly shifting from low to high altitudes can also hinder the dissolution of carbon dioxide in the bloodstream, which can cause it to diffuse into the bowel, increasing pressure in the gastrointestinal system. This was confirmed in a 2013 study where Australian scientists took participants up a mountain to around 5900 feet. The results showed that flatulence nearly doubled, with farts continuing for up to 11 hours after the trip. Science at work for everyone!
The reason gas feels more uncomfortable after a flight is due to cramped seating. Prolonged sitting can trap air in the digestive system, leaving you feeling bloated and overstuffed once you finally get off the plane.
To minimize post-flight flatulence, it's best to steer clear of gas-inducing foods like broccoli and beans, as well as carbonated drinks. Some doctors even suggest avoiding foods from the FODMAP list, which includes milk, yogurt, certain vegetables, and artificial sweeteners.
The key piece of advice? Get up and move around. Not only will this prevent gas from getting trapped, but it also helps avoid the risks of sitting for too long, such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot in the legs that can lead to pulmonary embolisms.
