Eat This Sweet Treat and Avoid Jet Lag at the Same Time

Everyone knows that even if you're not from Texas, traveling across the country is no joke. There are more than a few time zones (don't forget Alaska and Hawaii), meaning even travel inside the country can cause jet lag.

Jet lag is a temporary sleep disorder that happens when you travel across multiple time zones, disrupting your body's internal clock or circadian rhythm. The circadian rhythm is a 24-hour cycle that regulates various biological processes, including sleep-wake patterns, hormone production, and body temperature.

When you travel quickly across time zones it's hard for your body to adjust.

Common symptoms of jet lag include fatigue, insomnia, irritability, difficulty concentrating, gastrointestinal disturbances (such as indigestion or constipation), loss of appetite, and generally feeling crappy.

But... GOOD NEWS!

New research from the University of Sydney and Qantas Airways has led to the sweet discovery that chocolate could help beat jet lag after long-haul flights.

Toss those sleeping pills and grab the Nabisco.

During the research experiments, people were taken on long flights and given simulations of different foods and environments.

During the simulations, volunteers followed a “specially designed menu, lighting, sleep and movement sequences,” and wore devices to monitor the effects. The menu featured “milk-based desserts to encourage sleep,” including chocolate.

So, check this out! Scientists have figured out something pretty cool. They discovered that people who indulged in some sweet treats as part of their travel routine had some awesome benefits. First off, their sleep quality during the flight was way better. That's a big win right there. Plus, they experienced less intense jet lag and even had improved brain function for two whole days after the flight.

Peter Cistulli, who's a professor of sleep medicine, is thrilled about these findings (me too!). He says it gives him hope that we can actually make a real difference in the health and well-being of folks traveling internationally. And get this—no other airline has ever done this kind of research before.

The best is yet to come!