Travelling is exciting and enriching. Discovering new places, getting to know different cultures and meeting new people - all this makes traveling so special. If it weren't for digestion: who among us hasn't struggled with digestive problems during a trip? In this blog post we explain why traveling can affect your digestion and give you valuable tips on how to prevent this.
Why does travel affect digestion?
Travel can affect your digestion in a number of ways.
Changes in diet: It is often difficult to stick to the diet you are used to while traveling. At airports, train stations or rest stops, we sometimes have to rely on fast food or less healthy options. Such sudden dietary changes can cause digestive problems such as diarrhea or constipation.
Jet lag: Traveling across time zones can mess up your sleep/wake cycles and meal times, which in turn can affect your gut. The adjustment phase can bring gastrointestinal problems, including reduced performance and slight mood swings.
Hygiene: When you travel, you may not have the same hygiene conditions as at home. Poor hygiene, especially when handling food or hand hygiene, can allow bacteria or pathogens to enter your body and cause digestive problems.
Stress: Travel can be associated with stress, anxiety or excitement. Such emotional stress can affect your digestion and cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea or diarrhea.
Dehydration: Air travel in particular can lead to dehydration. The dry air in airplane cabins and limited access to water can affect digestion and lead to constipation. The low cabin pressure can also cause gases to expand in your digestive tract, causing discomfort.
How can you protect your digestive health while traveling? Whether you're traveling on long-haul flights or prefer short trips, there are some things you can do to protect and improve your digestive health when travelling .
Hydration: Stay hydrated! Drink enough water, especially when traveling by plane, to prevent constipation.
Healthy nutrition: Reach for probiotic foods like yoghurt, kefir or kombucha, which contain good bacteria for your gut. Pack healthy snacks like nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and whole grains. These provide you with important fiber and healthy fats.
Our tip: Ayurvedic apple compote & porridge: A delicious recipe that is super easy to transport!
Probiotics routine: Another important tip to have in your luggage is probiotics. As an integral part of your morning routine, they can also help maintain the balance of your gut flora when you travel, which is especially important when you're on the go and your diet changes. Various studies have shown that taking probiotics can help prevent travelers' diarrhea and improve overall gut health.
Movement: Use long waiting times at transit stations like the train station or airport to get moving. This promotes digestion and prevents flatulence.
Stress reduction: Plan your trip well to avoid stress. Consciously take time to relax and set realistic expectations to minimize travel stress.
Follow these tips and you will notice that you can keep a relaxed stomach even when traveling and enjoy your time to the fullest. Bon voyage!
