For many travellers, a pre-flight tradition is often a $16 sandwich and a glass of prosecco before midday (there are no rules in the airport) but now so-called experts are saying there’s a healthier option.

As it turns out, eating a banana before flying might just be the secret to a smoother travel experience, backed by both nutrition science and practical benefits. According to Flypedia, “A banana is the best food to consume before boarding a plane. The fruit is rich in potassium, which helps to control blood pressure and reduce any muscle cramps you have when flying.”

Regulating blood pressure levels is particularly handy once you learn how much your body goes through during air travel – something that can be made significantly worse if you drink alcohol at 30,000 feet.

Related story: New research suggests drinking while flying could be bad for our hearts

Potassium is also an electrolyte, which helps to keep you hydrated. Anyone who has woken up in the middle of a long-haul flight has experienced the chaotic thirst that the dry cabin air induces. Go banana!

But wait, there’s more. If you’re prone to airsickness, bananas can help relieve an upset stomach by stimulating the production of mucus from the stomach lining. When travelling at high altitudes, the lower air pressure can make gasses expand which can lead to tummy aches and feeling queasy, so having a complex carbohydrate digesting while ascending will give you slow release energy and can keep nausea at bay. 

We’re still going to have that glass of prosecco before we board but it’s always nice to have an excuse for a snack.

Related story: Our guide to the best snacks to pack with you on your next flight