Doctor warns Brits planning on drinking airport pints before their flight

Ah. The airport pint. A luxury enjoyed by thousands of people every single day before they take to the skies for their long-awaited holiday or a last minute trip overseas.

Whether 3.00am ahead of the first flights out of the United Kingdom or getting a later flight at a more acceptable time of the day, social norms go out the window when in the departure lounge. Just like in the pubs, pints are, for many, there to be supped and get you in the mood for your down time and a bit of rest and relaxation.

But those partaking in a 586ml glass of lager, ale, stout, or cider - or even a glass of wine or a whiskey and mixer - have been told to maybe pass on the next one before you fly.

And the reason for this? Well, it's not actually to do with a rise in violence taking place in the skies, with one survey of 4,000 cabin crew, conducted by Unite the Union, revealing the majority of staff had witnessed drunk and disruptive passenger behaviour influenced by booze.

Instead, it's to do with health. And yes, yours directly.

Dr Kevin Huffman is CEO and founder of Ambari Nutrition. In speaking to LADbible about the issue of alcohol and flying overseas, he said the pressurised cabin of a plane makes for potential health issues if you've been on a liquid lunch.

Maybe avoid next time? (Getty Stock Images)

"Alcohol can also have a more robust effect on the body at altitude," Dr Huffman said.

"Cabin pressure can boost your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) by as much as 50 percent, so that glass of wine at the airport could leave you feeling far more intoxicated than you’d otherwise be.

"That can affect your decision-making and motor skills, making you more prone to accidents or injury during boarding or deplaning."

It's due to how alcohol impacts your body and your ability to function. He said: "Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning that it increases urination and thus fluid loss. Paired with the already drier air of an aircraft at altitude, this is a recipe for rapid dehydration.

"Once dehydrated, you can expect to suffer from headaches, fatigue, and to experience jet lag more intensely upon arrival.

"Dehydration experienced on a flight early in the day can carry on for the rest of the day. It can happen to you and undermine your ability to thoroughly enjoy your vacation."

It's exciting but can leave you feeling rubbish (Getty Stock Images)

Dr Huffman isn't saying don't drink at all, though. No, he is saying it's about clocking the situation you're in.

With alcohol and early morning flights interrupting your 'natural circadian rhythm' - this is how you experience different states in a 24 hour period including sleeping, when you eat, and doing exercise - it maybe isn't a good idea to get up super early and booze together. Later flight? Your potential grogginess and feeling unrested might not be as bad.

"Early morning flights are disruptive to your natural circadian rhythm. Alcohol interferes with sleep, and even though you may fall asleep on the plane, you might wake up the next morning feeling groggy and unrested, and unable to fully enjoy the first day of your trip," he said.

"For these reasons, it is generally best to abstain from alcohol before an early morning flight. However, if you do imbibe, hydrate. Drink lots of water before, during and after your flight to counteract the dehydrating effects of alcohol. Have one drink, and pick lower-alcohol drinks. Healthy you and a smooth trip are more important than pre-flight cocktails."

Maybe a Guinness 0.0 next time?