The three strange foods that will ‘cure’ jetlag

SCIENTISTS have uncovered a potential travel hack that could help to reduce jetlag – and it includes eating some unlikely foods. 

Carried out by Australian airline Qantas alongside the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre, the research has so far shown promising results.

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Working together on the project since 2015, the airline and research centre conducted test flights with 23 volunteer passengers on 20-hour journeys, closely monitoring their movements, sleep patterns, and exposure to light using wearable technology.

Surprisingly, it found that eating foods such as chilli and chocolate during long-haul flights may help to combat jet lag.

The study was part of Qantas’ Project Sunrise program and is set to be introduced on non-stop flights between Sydney and New York, as well as London by late 2025. 

During test flights, passengers were prescribed to a specifically designed regimen involving a customised menu, specific lighting schedules, and prescribed sleep and movement sequences.

To measure the effectiveness of the trials, the passengers completed iPad tests assessing their reaction time and attention.

They also maintained daily logs for a week before, during, and two weeks after the flight, meticulously recording their experiences and well-being.

The outcomes proved remarkable, the researchers said, with participants experiencing milder jet lag symptoms, improved quality of in-flight sleep, and heightened cognitive performance in the two days following the journey.

Professor of Sleep Medicine at the University of Sydney, Peter Cistulli, said while the research is still ongoing, it has shown clear signs that the tests conducted in the trial flights reduced the impact of long-haul travel.

“The early results are promising, and it’s given us great momentum to look to the next stage of customer research to support Project Sunrise product and service design,” said Professor Cistulli.

“We have a multi-disciplinary team of more than 10 researchers from medicine, science and engineering backgrounds working together on this project.

“This includes sleep researchers, circadian experts, and nutrition and movement experts. 

“No airline has ever done this kind of research before.”

The specially designed menu featured delectable options such as fish and chicken paired with fast-acting carbohydrates, along with comforting soups and milk-based desserts. 

Notably, specific ingredients like chilli and chocolate were found to play a vital role as the scientists said they help to stimulate the production of the brain’s amino acid tryptophan (‘Tryp’), enabling passengers to drift off more easily.

Qantas Group CEO, Alan Joyce, said the Australian national carrier was excited by the prospect of minimising jet lag and revolutionising international flying for all travellers.

“Given our geography, Qantas has a long history of using imagination and innovation to overcome the tyranny of distance between Australia and the rest of the world,” said Joyce.

“Now that we have the aircraft technology to do these flights, we want to make sure the customer experience evolves as well, and that’s why we’re doing this research and designing our cabins and service differently.”

The fresh findings were unveiled alongside the launch of Quntas’ inaugural direct route from Auckland to New York.

The airline also disclosed details of their forthcoming A350 aircraft, specially designed to cater to Project Sunrise flights. 

The aircraft will feature an exclusive Wellbeing Zone, allowing economy passengers to stretch out and engage in a simple exercise routine through video screens. 

There’ll also be a dedicated hydration and refreshment station onboard.

However, in order to accommodate these changes, the refreshed A350s will have around 100 fewer seats compared to other carriers.

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