Be it jetting to Europe for the summer or catching the final lineup of Coachella, we’re often all for planning our bikini and cut-off jean wardrobe, but tend to forget about preparing an arsenal of potent elixirs to keep us healthy and pepped up throughout our travels.
For Aussies, the long haul flight to US or Europe can take a serious toll on the body, but that’s not even factoring in the lesser discussed side effects like swelling, cold and flu symptoms, dry skin and hair, blood clotting and risk of deep vein thrombosis, bloating, gas and digestive issues among other things.
According to the University of Sydney, the biggest mistake we make ahead of travel is not planning for the flight and when they conducted a survey with Qantas about what Aussies want on long haul flights, health and wellness came out as a top priority.
With that in mind, when it comes to facing your next long haul flight, by packing the right superfood supplements that will fuel you and support your body, you’ll be able to offset the risk of unwanted health side effects and get straight into tanning and dancing up a storm.
To help you, we’ve rounded up four of the best superfood supplements for travelling from Australian beauty food brand Tonik—that make easy to use soft gel capsules for a quick dose of nutrients – along with asking their in-house experts Tonik pharmacist Glenn Summerville and founder Pip Summerville to share the health benefits with us.
The Top 4 Travel Toniks To Take On Board With You:
1. Hemp Seed Oil Capsules
The latest superfood oil making its way into the wellness world, hemp seed oil is said to be a wonder product that can help everything from reducing inflammation, improving immunity, regenerating the skin, improving skin hydration (bye bye dry airplane skin) and even assist in thinning blood clots (which reduce risk of dreaded DVT).
Made of Omega 3 and Omega 6 Essential Fatty Acids, along with Omega 9, Tonik’s Hemp Seed Oil Capsules work to keep your diet balanced (between all the carb indulging in Italy and frozen plane food) and according to Glenn Summerville, help ‘cell regeneration’ and ‘hormone balancing’ too. As most women who have travelled know, hormones can often play havoc post-flight, especially if you forget to take your pill at the right time.
2. Organic Apple Cider Vinegar Capsules
Organic Apple Cider Vinegar (AVC) is already a cult product in the gut health movement, but what makes Tonik’s Organic Apple Cider Vinegar stand out is their supplement form and potency.
Supplement wise, they are great because they come in capsules—and really, is there anything nothing worse than trying to pour a rather pungent apple cider vinegar into a cap mid turbulent flight? With these all you have to do is swallow and go!
In terms of potency, Tonik’s AVC has a ‘mother culture’ that occurs from the fermented process, providing a range of health benefits from improving balancing energy, maintaining blood sugar levels and assisting with weight management – as well as perhaps the most crucial one when flying—supporting digestion.
“Having autoimmune disorder Crohn’s Disease, I find I can minimise my health issues naturally (instead of using steroids and immune-suppressants) such as bloating, abdominal pain and uncomfortable bouts of diarrhoea by eating well and taking all four Tonik products,” says Glenn Summerville.
3. Turmeric Capsules
An ancient ayurvedic secret of generations past, turmeric is a potent superfood that is powerful for enhancing immunity and reducing inflammation.
With key ingredient curcumin at the heart of its health benefits, Tonik’s Curcumin / Turmeric Capsules contain 19 times the curcumin content of ground turmeric spice, making it one of the strongest supplements on the market, and in short, your new travel BFF.
When flying, unfortunately, we’re confined to a cabin and sea of human bodies, not all who may have good health or high immunity. This being said, according to Glenn Summerville, this is where turmeric is a great anti-inflammatory agent to combat colds and infections as well as breathing troubles.
“When we inhale allergens such as dust, pollens and airborne contaminants it leads to inflammation in our airways and lungs, affecting our respiratory function and causing very common conditions such as asthma, allergic rhinitis and hayfever” – which is where Tonik’s Turmeric can help.
In addition, it can also help when it comes to muscle pain and aches. “Studies have proven the power of curcumin for supporting joint pain, whether acute or chronic as well as gastrointestinal inflammation common with conditions such as Crohn’s Disease, Intestinal Bowel Syndrome and female conditions such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Endometriosis.”
4. Coconut Oil Capsules
We’ve been loco for coco for a while now, but coconut oil capsules are a game changer when it comes to keeping your locks and skin tamed when on the road!
Tonik’s Coconut Oil Capsules are made up of 52 – 85 per cent organic coconut oil and contain high levels of medium-chain fatty acids (also known as chain triglycerides—MCTs) which in short—are the acids that help our beauty big time!
“MCT’s assist with cell regeneration and have been linked to benefitting hair, skin and nail health when taken both internally and applied topically, according to Glenn Summerville. And between the split ends and high rays sabotaging your hair game on Summer vacay – and the dry flaky skin post-flight, they’re big enough reasons alone to be on board coconut oil capsules.
But there’s more, it can also help your heart. “Research also suggests organic coconut oil has a beneficial effect on vascular health and our cardiovascular systems in general,” says Glenn Summerville.
And what’s not to love about a superfood that makes your heart glow from the inside out!
We’re officially sold!
To pick up Tonik’s capsules ahead of your next flight or holiday, explore the full range on Tonik’s site, and don’t forget to grab some super handy travel test tubes -they will keep your supplements safe and meet the carry-on guidelines.
