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To which two locations would you attribute the greatest frequency of tomato juice consumption? In our opinion, it’s brunch and on a plane. In fact, most passengers on an airplane drink it straight up. So, why do people drink tomato juice on a plane?
Let’s find out in this article!
Why Do People Drink Tomato Juice On A Plane?
Photo by Dennis Klein on Unsplash
People drink tomato juice on a plane because it tastes better in the air. Additionally, tomato juice is often a safe bet for those who are not sure what other beverages could taste like due to cabin pressure. Finally drinking tomato juice also helps mask the taste of other foods.
Now, let us delve deep into all the possible reasons why people around you might be ordering tomato juice on a plane.
Tomato Juice Tastes Better On A Plane
The German airline Lufthansa commissioned research after realizing they were serving over 1.5 million liters of tomato juice on flights (equal to about 400,000 gallons). That’s only one airline, by the way. They were concerned that they were giving out as much tomato juice as beer.
To be honest, so are we. Why, therefore, do passengers frequently request tomato juice while on a flight? You could feel like you’re in a V8 commercial, but the desire for tomato juice during flight is based on science.
Why Does Tomato Juice Taste Better on a Plane?
Tomato juice tastes better on a plane because most other foods taste bland in comparison, owing to the dry pressurized cabin. Moreover, on a plane, the umami flavor of tomato juice is more pronounced, making it taste better and more savory than other foods and beverages.
Now let’s look into this in detail:
First, the air makes everything taste different. Your ability to smell is being impaired by the pressured, dry cabin environment in which you find yourself. Your ability to taste is diminished along with your sense of smell because of the crucial role scent plays in the tasting process. It’s interesting to note that similar effects occur when the plane’s ambient noise is present.
That being said, it’s possible that even normally tasty items will taste less so while airborne. So they drink tomato juice instead. Tomato juice is tastier than most other drinks when you take it with you on a plane because of the acidity and additional spices that give it flavor.
Furthermore, while flying can diminish your sense of taste for some flavors, it has no effect on your capacity to experience umami, and tomato juice is known for its umami flavor. Tomato juice’s rich, umami qualities will shine through while the sweet sodas may taste off or watered down at 30,000 feet.
Drinking Tomato Juice Masks The Taste Of Airplane Food
Tomato juice isn’t just a drink you’d find in the snack aisle at the grocery store. It’s also something many passengers are ordering on planes because it helps mask the taste of airplane food. And according to one study, it works. Researchers found that people who drank tomato juice reported tasting less salty and sweet flavors compared to those who didn’t.
There might be another reason why tomato juice is such a popular choice among fliers. A recent study published in the journal Food Quality & Preference found that the background noise of the aircraft itself affected the way we perceive flavor. In fact, researchers found that the sound of airplanes caused us to experience the same level of sweetness as sugar water.
The findings suggest that the background noise of flying could affect our perception of what we eat. So next time you’re hungry on a flight, consider drinking tomato juice. You might like the taste better.
Drinking Tomato Juice On Flight Enhances the Taste and Smell Of Food
When you’re sitting down, oxygen levels are lower and carbon dioxide levels are higher. This causes the blood vessels in your mouth to constrict, making it harder to detect flavors. However, once you take off, the opposite happens. As the cabin depressurizes, the blood vessels relax, allowing you to better perceive the flavor of what you’re drinking.
Tomato juice isn’t just a good way to avoid airplane food; it’s also a great way to boost your sense of smell. “The reason we drink tomato juice on airplanes is that it helps us detect smells,” says Dr. Michael Siegel, director of the Center for Health Policy Research at Boston University School of Public Health.
That said, there’s one thing about drinking tomato juice on airplanes that don’t make much sense: the pressure changes in the cabin affect the taste of the drink
As mentioned, since the air pressure is low in flight, your sense of smell is affected too.
So, when you sit down to dinner, the food doesn’t seem quite as good as usual. In fact, it might taste bland compared to what you remember eating. If you want to avoid this, try ordering tomato juice. Tomatoes contain citric acid, which helps neutralize the effects of low air pressure.
That’s why some people turn toward tomato juice. A study published earlier this year found that passengers on long flights tend to order extra servings of tomato juice over water. In fact, one survey found that about half of fliers prefer tomato juice to plain old tap water.
Why Should You Opt For Tomato Juice On Flights?
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Following are a few reasons why tomato juice should be your go-to flight beverage:
- Prevents dehydration and food poisoning
- Promotes cardiovascular health
- Acts as a filling low-calorie drink
- Safer choice of beverage since many other beverages taste neutral in the air
- Offers many health benefits
Now, let us look at some of these reasons in detail below:
Helps Prevent Food Poisoning
Tomato juice isn’t just good for your heart; it might help you avoid airplane food poisoning. A study published earlier this month found that drinking tomato juice during a flight could reduce the risk of developing food poisoning. Researchers asked nearly 300 passengers about what they ate and drank during flights, and found that those who consumed tomato juice had fewer gastrointestinal symptoms than those who didn’t drink the juice.
It Prevents Dehydration On A Long Flight
In addition to its pleasant flavor, tomato juice is popular on flights because of the health benefits it provides. Flying is a huge source of dehydration and can expose you to a lot of germs, so avoiding the dry, pressurized cabin is a good idea.
You’re in luck because tomato juice is rich in electrolytes and vitamin C, both of which are essential for maintaining good health and fighting off illness. Tomato juice is a great way to replenish fluids if you’ve been feeling dehydrated recently, whether it’s in your nasal passages, throat, or even skin.
Prevents Damage From Free Radicals
The researchers believe that the reason tomato juice helps prevent food poisoning is that it contains lycopene, a compound that protects against free radicals.
It contains lycopene, a chemical compound found in tomatoes that helps fight off free radicals. Free radicals are molecules that cause damage to cells in our bodies. They’re formed during normal metabolisms, like breathing, eating, exercising, and even sleeping. And since we spend most of our lives inside, we’re constantly exposed to free radicals. So, consuming antioxidants like lycopene help protect against cell damage caused by free radicals.
It Is A Pretty Filling Beverage
A glass of tomato juice can help you feel satisfied while you’re flying and only able to eat a tiny snack because flying can make for a long day with little food involved.
Tomato Juice Is A Safe Beverage Choice On Planes
And here’s a secret: the Bloody Mary might be preferable to the basic tomato juice. Since tomato juice contains electrolytes, vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants, we like to tell ourselves that Bloody Marys are already a “healthier drink.” However, stress levels can skyrocket when you’re in the air. However, if you’re feeling anxious, tomato juice might be the better choice.
In addition, some people consider buying a glass of tomato juice while airborne to be a standard part of the flying experience. Tomato juice is a solid bet because there are so many different kinds of juice and you never know which airline will serve which one. Both its availability and its deliciousness are guaranteed. The heavens above couldn’t be any more welcoming.
Supports Cardiovascular Health
Tomatoes are rich sources of antioxidants that help protect against heart disease. A study published in found that people who consume one serving per day of tomato products had a 25 percent decreased risk of stroke compared to those who consumed less than one serving per month.
Tomato products contain high amounts of lycopene, a carotenoid antioxidant that protects cells from oxidative damage. Other studies show that eating just half a cup of cooked tomatoes each week lowers LDL (“bad”) cholesterol by 4 milligrams per deciliter and increases HDL (“good”) cholesterol by 5 mg/dL.
Another study published found similar results: those who ate three servings daily had a 20 percent decrease in heart attack risk compared to those who ate fewer than one serving per week, according to researchers at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine.
Tomato Juice Can Help Promote Weight Loss
Medical treatments for weight loss are focused on reducing chronic inflammation, which may play a role in weight management. A study published in the journal Cell Metabolism suggests that lycopene, a carotenoid found in tomatoes, could help fight obesity by reducing inflammation. In particular, researchers found that mice fed a high-fat diet supplemented with lycopene had lower levels of inflammatory markers in their blood compared to those given a low-fat diet.
The researchers believe that lycopene may work by increasing the absorption of dietary fats into the body. They suggest that lycopene might prove useful for people trying to lose weight because it reduces inflammation without causing negative side effects such as diarrhea.
In addition, scientists discovered that the body absorbs lycopene better when it is heated. This suggests that cooking foods containing lycopene could increase the absorption of antioxidants.
Wrapping Up!
Now, that we wrap up our article, we hope you have all the answers to why
So next time you find yourself sitting on an airplane, why not order a glass of tomato juice instead of soda? It’ll be refreshing, and healthy, and will definitely help you feel like your trip is flying by faster.
FAQs
What Other Drinks Can You Order On Your Flight?
If you’re flying somewhere warm, order a tall glass of iced tea or lemonade instead of water. The citrus juices will keep your stomach cool during the flight. If you prefer something more alcoholic, try an adult beverage instead of soda. Alcohol can be helpful if you’re feeling nervous.
How Much Water Should You Drink During Flights?
Drinking plenty of fluids while you fly helps prevent dehydration. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most passengers drink 1.5 liters of liquids per hour while they’re flying. However, make sure to not drink too muc liquid.
Drinking too much liquid can cause problems though. For example, drinking too much water can lead to nausea and vomiting. It also makes you feel bloated and uncomfortable.
When should you stop drinking liquids? When you’ve finished drinking all the liquids you need. Most airlines recommend that you finish drinking before boarding the plane. Some airlines even have special cups designed specifically for this purpose.
Do I Need To Bring My Own Food On Board?
No, but you’ll want to bring snacks that won’t require any preparation. Snacks like nuts, granola bars, trail mixes, and dried fruits are easy to eat on board. You don’t need to worry about bringing food on board. Airlines usually provide meals and drinks for free.
However, some airlines charge extra fees for certain items. For instance, JetBlue charges $10 for peanuts and pretzels. Southwest doesn’t charge anything for snacks, but it does charge $3 for beverages.
Can I Eat While Flying?
Yes, you can eat while flying. Many airlines offer a wide variety of food options including sandwiches, salads, pizza, pasta, sushi, and other dishes. You can choose from several different types of food depending on what time of day you travel.
For example, breakfast flights tend to include bagels, cereal, muffins, etc.
Can Tomato Juice Help Me Lose Weight?
Tomato juice has been linked to many health benefits. There is also evidence that tomato juice can help you lose weight. Tomatoes contain lycopene, a compound that appears to protect against cardiovascular diseases and promote weight loss. Lycopene is also believed to improve vision and boost immunity.
So, if you enjoy drinking tomato juice, you might as well add it to your diet.
Do All Airlines Offer Tomato Juice On Flight?
Most major airlines offer tomato juice on their flights. However, not all airlines serve tomato juice at the same time. For example, Delta offers tomato juice in its first-class cabins, but not in economy seats. Southwest serves tomato juice in both first-class and economy seating.
American Airlines serves tomato juice only in first class. United Airlines serves tomato juice in economy seating.
The best way to find out whether your airline serves tomato juice is to check with customer service.
Are There Any Other Healthy Foods That Can Be Served On Planes?
There are lots of healthy foods that you can order on board an airplane. The key is finding foods that aren’t too messy or difficult to eat. Here are some suggestions:
• Nuts and seeds – almonds, cashews, pecans, pistachios, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, etc.
• Fruit – apples, bananas, oranges, grapes, pears, strawberries, cherries, kiwi, pineapple, etc.
