Don’t Drink and Drive. We have all seen this on the roads, urging people not to drink while driving to avoid road accidents and risking their and others’ lives. Don’t Drink and Fly. Now this is the new advisory we all must follow to stay healthy. TheLiverDoc (@theliverdr) on X, previously Twitter has also highlighted the risks of drinking and flying. TheLiverDoc is Dr Abby Philips, who is a Hepatologists and Clinical Scientist at The Liver Institute, Rajagiri Hospital, Kerala. Research by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and RWTH Aachen University have found that drinking in flight increases health risks. For most of us, alcohol in flight is like a luxury as we see in movies. Some people also associate that drinking alcohol calms them down, relaxes them and helps them sleep better on a flight journey. However, this new study has proved that all these perceptions are wrong. What Did the Study Find?The combination of alcohol and in-flight hypobaric hypoxia, which means the low oxygen levels in your blood due to the high altitudes leads to reduced sleep quality, and a stressed heart which impacts the heart’s function and leads to an extended duration of lower oxygen in blood of SpO2. The study also found that the participants who were subjected to hypobaric pressure experienced a reduction in oxygen saturation in their blood and an increased heart rate as compared to those who did not consume alcohol. The study also found their sleep quality worsened from consuming alcohol. Tips To Stay Healthy in FlightWhile cabin pressure in flight is healthy for passengers, it also means that you are 8,000 feet above the ground and exposed to air pressure, which may cause discomfort. Thus, there are certain tips that can help you stay healthy in flight. Keep hydrating yourself. It is important to keep drinking enough water and to not consume alcohol, caffeinated or sugar drinks. Experts suggest that you must keep drinking water even if you are not thirsty. Staying hydrated also helps you combat jet lag. Walking around can help you stay mobile. Longer flight journeys and sitting in one spot for too long may cause deep vein thrombosis (DVT). You can stretch your legs while sitting and going on bathroom trips will keep your legs on the move. Sitting on your seat can also mean your neck is at an awkward angle when you are trying to sleep in flight. To avoid neck problems, carry a neck pillow with you. Chew gums to avoid ear pain. Being at such high altitudes leads to air pressure, which can hurt your ear or lead to an aeroplane ear pop. Chewing gum accumulates saliva that clears the blocked air.