You may find it hard to believe, but some of our favourite food–such as chilli and chocolate—can help battle jet lag!

Jet lag, often experienced while travelling across multiple time zones, occurs due to misalignment between our internal body clock and the local time at our destination. This can lead to sleep disturbances, fatigue, and even gastrointestinal issues.

In 2019, Qantas conducted three Project Sunrise research flights from New York and London to Sydney, focusing on jet lag. Image from Flickr

This incredible discovery comes from research conducted by Australian airline Qantas and the University of Sydney's Charles Perkins Centre, which sought to understand how to improve the inflight experience for passengers on long-haul flights.

The study, known as 'Project Sunrise', examined the effects of various factors, including different lighting, sleep schedules, mealtimes, and movement and exercise, on reducing the severity of jet lag during non-stop flights between Sydney, New York, and London.

While we all know how tiresome ultra-long-haul flights can be, imagine how much better your journey could be with a little help from foods like chocolate and chilli!

These mouth-watering delights have been shown to 'contribute to improved traveller wellbeing' according to the research findings.

So, how did they come to this conclusion?

In 2019, Qantas carried out three Project Sunrise test flights between Sydney, New York, and London.

During these flights, researchers monitored 23 volunteer customers who wore wearable device technology throughout the 20-hour journeys. The volunteers followed a specially designed menu, lighting, sleep, and movement sequences.

During the research flights, researchers accompanied the aircraft and closely monitored 23 volunteer customers. These participants adhered to a carefully crafted program encompassing a specially designed menu, specific lighting conditions, designated sleep schedules, and prescribed movement sequences. Image by joyceromero from Unsplash

Compared to traditional inflight eating and sleeping schedules, the tailored schedules adopted by the participants resulted in less severe jet lag (self-reported), better sleep quality inflight, and improved cognitive performance in the two days following the flights.

These inflight trials included tailored cabin lighting schedules, simple stretch and movement activities, and adjustments to meal services to help realign our biological clocks.

The researchers also incorporated certain menu items, such as fish, chicken paired with fast-acting carbohydrates, soups, and milk-based desserts, to promote the production of the amino acid tryptophan (also known as 'Tryp') in our brains, helping passengers drift off more easily.

In addition to enjoying some chilli and chocolate, here are a few other tips to help you combat jet lag during your travels:

• Gradually adjust your sleep schedule before your trip
• Stay hydrated throughout the flight
• Avoid heavy meals and alcohol during the flight

As part of Project Sunrise, Qantas will be using specially designed Airbus A350s, which include an onboard 'Wellbeing Zone'. Here, passengers can stretch, relax, and perform simple exercises while following video-guided routines in a designated area, offering travellers a way to stay active during long flights.

Watch the A350 Cabin Reveal here:

​

Professor Peter Cistulli, a sleep medicine expert at the University of Sydney, remarked, '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.'

He added that no other airline had previously conducted extensive research and that 'the early findings have given us optimism that we can make a real difference to the health and wellbeing of international travellers.'

Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce is excited about minimising jet lag and revolutionising international aviation for all travellers. The national carrier is scheduled to receive its first A350 in late 2025, with the Project Sunrise launch route between Sydney and New York expected to commence soon after.

Key Takeaways

• Research conducted by Qantas and the University of Sydney's Charles Perkins Centre shows that certain foods, including chilli and chocolate, can help reduce the effects of jet lag.
• The research was conducted on non-stop ultra-long-haul test flights for Qantas' 'Project Sunrise' program, which will connect Sydney directly with New York and London for the first time in late 2025.
• Different lighting and sleep schedules, mealtimes, and movement and exercise were also highlighted as lessening the severity of jet lag.
• Early results indicate that those on the tailored inflight schedule experienced less severe jet lag, better sleep quality, and better cognitive performance in the two days following the flight.

So the next time you plan a long-haul flight, remember to pack some chilli, chocolate, and maybe a few other tasty morsels in your carry-on. Your body (and taste buds) will thank you as you tackle jet lag with some delicious remedies!

Members, how do you feel about Qantas' revelation that foods like chilli and chocolate can potentially combat jet lag during long-haul flights? Would you consider incorporating these remedies into your travel routine to improve your inflight experience? Share your thoughts and any other jet lag-fighting tips you may have!

 

[Catherines]

My husband just said we’ll have to do a few more trips to take advantage of the chocolate (first choice for my chocoholic hubby) and chilli. Guess now I’ll have to take him up on that. After watching the A350 video it will need to be in Business Class - ha, ha

 

[Sockjoan]

You may find it hard to believe, but some of our favourite food–such as chilli and chocolate—can help battle jet lag!

Jet lag, often experienced while travelling across multiple time zones, occurs due to misalignment between our internal body clock and the local time at our destination. This can lead to sleep disturbances, fatigue, and even gastrointestinal issues.

View attachment 23185

In 2019, Qantas conducted three Project Sunrise research flights from New York and London to Sydney, focusing on jet lag. Image from Flickr

This incredible discovery comes from research conducted by Australian airline Qantas and the University of Sydney's Charles Perkins Centre, which sought to understand how to improve the inflight experience for passengers on long-haul flights.

The study, known as 'Project Sunrise', examined the effects of various factors, including different lighting, sleep schedules, mealtimes, and movement and exercise, on reducing the severity of jet lag during non-stop flights between Sydney, New York, and London.

While we all know how tiresome ultra-long-haul flights can be, imagine how much better your journey could be with a little help from foods like chocolate and chilli!

These mouth-watering delights have been shown to 'contribute to improved traveller wellbeing' according to the research findings.

So, how did they come to this conclusion?

In 2019, Qantas carried out three Project Sunrise test flights between Sydney, New York, and London.

During these flights, researchers monitored 23 volunteer customers who wore wearable device technology throughout the 20-hour journeys. The volunteers followed a specially designed menu, lighting, sleep, and movement sequences.

View attachment 23186

During the research flights, researchers accompanied the aircraft and closely monitored 23 volunteer customers. These participants adhered to a carefully crafted program encompassing a specially designed menu, specific lighting conditions, designated sleep schedules, and prescribed movement sequences. Image by joyceromero from Unsplash

Compared to traditional inflight eating and sleeping schedules, the tailored schedules adopted by the participants resulted in less severe jet lag (self-reported), better sleep quality inflight, and improved cognitive performance in the two days following the flights.

These inflight trials included tailored cabin lighting schedules, simple stretch and movement activities, and adjustments to meal services to help realign our biological clocks.

The researchers also incorporated certain menu items, such as fish, chicken paired with fast-acting carbohydrates, soups, and milk-based desserts, to promote the production of the amino acid tryptophan (also known as 'Tryp') in our brains, helping passengers drift off more easily.

In addition to enjoying some chilli and chocolate, here are a few other tips to help you combat jet lag during your travels:

• Gradually adjust your sleep schedule before your trip
• Stay hydrated throughout the flight
• Avoid heavy meals and alcohol during the flight

As part of Project Sunrise, Qantas will be using specially designed Airbus A350s, which include an onboard 'Wellbeing Zone'. Here, passengers can stretch, relax, and perform simple exercises while following video-guided routines in a designated area, offering travellers a way to stay active during long flights.

Watch the A350 Cabin Reveal here:

​

Professor Peter Cistulli, a sleep medicine expert at the University of Sydney, remarked, '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.'

He added that no other airline had previously conducted extensive research and that 'the early findings have given us optimism that we can make a real difference to the health and wellbeing of international travellers.'

Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce is excited about minimising jet lag and revolutionising international aviation for all travellers. The national carrier is scheduled to receive its first A350 in late 2025, with the Project Sunrise launch route between Sydney and New York expected to commence soon after.

Key Takeaways

• Research conducted by Qantas and the University of Sydney's Charles Perkins Centre shows that certain foods, including chilli and chocolate, can help reduce the effects of jet lag.
• The research was conducted on non-stop ultra-long-haul test flights for Qantas' 'Project Sunrise' program, which will connect Sydney directly with New York and London for the first time in late 2025.
• Different lighting and sleep schedules, mealtimes, and movement and exercise were also highlighted as lessening the severity of jet lag.
• Early results indicate that those on the tailored inflight schedule experienced less severe jet lag, better sleep quality, and better cognitive performance in the two days following the flight.

So the next time you plan a long-haul flight, remember to pack some chilli, chocolate, and maybe a few other tasty morsels in your carry-on. Your body (and taste buds) will thank you as you tackle jet lag with some delicious remedies!

Members, how do you feel about Qantas' revelation that foods like chilli and chocolate can potentially combat jet lag during long-haul flights? Would you consider incorporating these remedies into your travel routine to improve your inflight experience? Share your thoughts and any other jet lag-fighting tips you may have!

Chilli? Never!!! It peels all the skin off the roof of my mouth.

 

[Catherines]

Chilli isn’t necessarily super hot. There are varying intensities of heat to different chillies.

 

[Lolali]

Love chilli chocolate but dark chocolate keeps me awake

 

[LH2022]

After literally 100s of international flights the best way to handle jet lag is to not buy into it at all. No matter what time it is that you land in whatever country, just immediately adjust to their time. If it's morning for them, it's morning for you. No matter the time, just reset your watch and join THEIR day schedule. Have a regular day. Don’t go to sleep before your regular bed time but on THEIR time, not yours. Yeah you'll be yawning and may be tired when you land but keep going. When you do sleep you'll wake up on THEIR schedule and the jet lag is done and dusted. If you sleep when you land (on your time) you'll be battling the jet lag for days and it'll take you ages to readjust and not be up and awake when everyone else is sleeping. Yes, this does 100% work a treat. I've done it for decades.

 

[Lolali]

After literally 100s of international flights the best way to handle jet lag is to not buy into it at all. No matter what time it is that you land in whatever country, just immediately adjust to their time. If it's morning for them, it's morning for you. No matter the time, just reset your watch and join THEIR day schedule. Have a regular day. Don’t go to sleep before your regular bed time but on THEIR time, not yours. Yeah you'll be yawning and may be tired when you land but keep going. When you do sleep you'll wake up on THEIR schedule and the jet lag is done and dusted. If you sleep when you land (on your time) you'll be battling the jet lag for days and it'll take you ages to readjust and not be up and awake when everyone else is sleeping. Yes, this does 100% work a treat. I've done it for decades.

Makes perfect sense!

 

[Catherines]

After literally 100s of international flights the best way to handle jet lag is to not buy into it at all. No matter what time it is that you land in whatever country, just immediately adjust to their time. If it's morning for them, it's morning for you. No matter the time, just reset your watch and join THEIR day schedule. Have a regular day. Don’t go to sleep before your regular bed time but on THEIR time, not yours. Yeah you'll be yawning and may be tired when you land but keep going. When you do sleep you'll wake up on THEIR schedule and the jet lag is done and dusted. If you sleep when you land (on your time) you'll be battling the jet lag for days and it'll take you ages to readjust and not be up and awake when everyone else is sleeping. Yes, this does 100% work a treat. I've done it for decades.

That is so true and has been the advice for ages. Sleep a little as best you can on the plane first, but at your normal time, then you will have the stamina to adjust to the sleep time of the country you are visiting. Have a safe and good trip, everyone, wherever you might wander.