Well, it turns out that flying makes us more prone to bloating. Gas is a natural byproduct of digestion, caused by swallowing air as we eat and other processes in the body.
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“Changes in cabin pressure and oxygen saturation, along with the vibration and motion of the plane, can inhibit gastric emptying,” Allen says. In other words, digested food can't move to the small intestine, making it more difficult to do a number two. This can contribute to feeling bloated, gassy and nauseated.
Gas expands when you go up in altitude, meaning the gas in your tum inflates too. This can cause a distended tum and a pretty uncomfortable bloat. Pairing that with the lack of movement, dehydration and seating position, it can be pretty uncomfortable!
You may feel discomfort and notice minor swelling in your abdomen area as well. Luckily jet belly shouldn't last more than one week after you land and can be relieved using different techniques and by taking natural supplements.
Jet belly: (noun) the bloated state in which your stomach inflates post-flight. Also, a very unpleasant feeling. May also make you look like you're 3 months pregnant. So how does one prevent this jet belly? Well, it all depends on what you eat on the plane.
“First of all, the stress associated with catching with your flight and getting to the hotel can make your symptoms worse. But also being away from your usual place of eating and going to the bathroom can disrupt the bowels.
Make sure your pre-travel diet includes plenty of fiber, which makes stools softer and more comfortable to pass. Foods high in fiber include many fruits, like apples (with the skin), raspberries, and pears; beans; and whole-grain foods such as bran cereal.
Eat Light. Contrary to popular belief, flying on an empty stomach doesn't help you combat air sickness. In fact, an empty stomach actually exacerbates symptoms. Eat a light meal such as crackers, fruit, and other light snacks.
A lack of oxygen or the proverbial thin air, as is common at high altitudes or during flights, can trigger inflammation in the intestinal tract in people with a corresponding predisposition.