Although travelling the world can be an enlightening, enjoyable experience, there are negative health effects associated with international air travel. When embarking on international flights – typically quite long – flyers may experience cold and flu like symptoms.
Researchers at Griffith University have found that elderberries may help combat the negative health effects of international air travel.
Advertisement
A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was carried out which involved 312 economy passengers. The flight these passengers were on took them from Australia to overseas destinations. Surveys were completed by the participants prior, during and after travels. Incidents of colds, their duration and symptoms were also noted.
“We found that most cold episodes occurred in the placebo group, but the difference between the placebo and active group was not significant,” said associate professor Evelin Tiralongo.
“However, the placebo group had a significantly higher number of cold episode days, and the symptom score in the placebo group over these days was also significantly higher.”
Participants were given 300mg of proprietary membrane-filtered elderberry extract. Previous research has shown that elderberry is effective in treating symptoms associated with the common cold.
The findings were presented at the 21st Annual International Medicine Conference in Melbourne, Australia.
Sources:
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-07/gu-eba072115.php
Emily Lunardo studied medical sociology at York University with a strong focus on the social determinants of health and mental illness. She is a registered Zumba instructor, as well as a Canfit Pro trainer, who teaches fitness classes on a weekly basis. Emily practices healthy habits in her own life as well as helps others with their own personal health goals. Emily joined Bel Marra Health as a health writer in 2013.
