{
  "id": 109073,
  "title": "Jetting off for a summer vacation? How to eat and drink to minimize jet lag",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/04/jetting-off-for-a-summer-vacation-how-to-eat-and-drink-to-minimize",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-04T00:53:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Associated Press",
    "slug": "associated-press",
    "url": "https://apnews.com/article/jet-lag-eating-travel-destination-dd65300e117448e0e37d3e36fe56fb97"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Jet lag can transform a perfect vacation into a troublesome experience. Millions of travelers face this issue during peak travel season, dealing with sleep disturbances, daytime tiredness, headaches, and gastrointestinal problems. However, eating and drinking habits can help minimize its effects, not just by adjusting sleep schedules. Jet lag happens when the body's internal clock is not in sync with the new time zone, taking a few days to adapt to environmental cues like sunrises and sunsets. Tara Schmidt, a registered dietitian at Mayo Clinic, experienced severe jet lag during European trips, which ruined the first few days of her vacation. According to Joanne Slavin, a nutrition expert at the University of Minnesota, digestive issues such as bloating, constipation, or diarrhea are common jet lag symptoms. To combat jet lag, one can gradually shift meal times closer to the destination's time zone. Begin by moving meals by 15 minutes, then half an hour, and eventually an hour. Upon arrival, eat when locals do to align with the new time zone. A study by Northwestern University researchers found that starting the day with a hearty breakfast in line with the new time zone can help recover from jet lag. Keep to this schedule throughout the day, having lunch and dinner at appropriate times for the location.",
  "summary": "Jet lag threatens to turn even a dream vacation into a slog. And with peak travel season underway, millions of people may have to contend with this disorienting condition, which can cause sleep disturbances, daytime tiredness, headaches and nasty…",
  "key_points": [
    "Jet lag disrupts sleep, causes tiredness, and leads to gastrointestinal issues.",
    "Eating and drinking habits can minimize jet lag effects.",
    "Gradually shift meal times to align with the destination's time zone."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Adjusting eating and drinking habits to a destination's time zone before and during travel can help minimize jet lag's effects on the body's internal clock and digestive system.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}