Discover the Science Behind Good Flyte

Abstract

Good Flyte combines a purpose-built formulation (electrolytes, vitamins, and botanicals) with a physiology-based hydration model to help air travellers manage fluid and sodium balance in low-humidity, reduced-pressure cabin environments. This paper details the scientific rationale for the product ingredients and the methodology underpinning the hydration calculator. We synthesise evidence from aerospace medicine, exercise and environmental physiology, and nutrition science, and present a tractable model to estimate insensible water and sodium losses during flight.

1. Introduction

Commercial aircraft cabins constitute a distinctive micro-environment: pressure equivalent to approximately 6,000–8,000 feet, relative humidity often 10–20%, cool recirculated air, and prolonged seated immobility. These conditions elevate insensible water loss (skin and respiratory), subtly alter cardiovascular load, and can impair comfort, mood, cognition, and immune resilience. Good Flyte addresses these stressors via (i) a formulation tailored to the cabin and (ii) a calculator that personalises water and sodium recommendations using biometric and flight-environment inputs.

2. Cabin Physiology and Hydration Rationale

Reduced barometric pressure lowers inspired oxygen partial pressure and water vapour capacity; very dry air increases transepidermal and respiratory water loss. Even at rest, cumulative losses over multi-hour flights can be physiologically meaningful. Mild dehydration (~1–2% body mass) is associated with fatigue, headaches, degraded cognitive performance, and impaired thermoregulation. Sodium and other electrolytes are co-lost with water in skin/respiratory routes (albeit less than with sweat), influencing plasma osmolality and fluid distribution. These effects justify targeted electrolyte replacement and staged fluid intake in flight.

3. Good Flyte Formulation
3.1 Electrolyte Complex (Sodium, Potassium, Magnesium; Chloride as counter-ion)

Objectives: promote efficient intestinal water uptake, support plasma osmolality, maintain neuromuscular function, and sustain hydration with a moderate, cabin-appropriate electrolyte load (not a high-sweat sports dose).

  • Sodium (Na⁺): principal extracellular cation; supports osmotic water absorption and volume maintenance. Moderate inclusion improves post-ingestion fluid retention versus water alone.

  • Potassium (K⁺): principal intracellular cation; supports normal neuromuscular/cardiac function and complements sodium for osmotic balance.

  • Magnesium (Mg²⁺): enzyme cofactor in energy metabolism; contributes to electrolyte balance and reduces tiredness/fatigue; supports muscle relaxation during prolonged sitting.

  • Chloride (Cl⁻): major anion; pairs with sodium/potassium to maintain electroneutrality and gastric acid balance.

Evidence base: Electrolyte addition improves post-exercise and post-dehydration rehydration efficiency and retention; even at rest, low-humidity conditions increase insensible losses where modest sodium can aid conservation of ingested fluids. (Refs: Zubac 2020; Choi 2021; Hoffman 2016; Nielsen 1986; Maughan 1994; plus dietary reference frameworks.)

3.2 Vitamin Complex

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid): antioxidant defence; supports normal immune function; some evidence for reducing common-cold duration; supports collagen for vessel/skin integrity relevant to travel-related dryness.

Vitamin D: contributes to normal immune function and muscle function; low sunlight exposure during travel justifies supplementation; correcting insufficiency is associated with improved perceived fatigue in trials.

B-Vitamins (focus on B6 & B12): central to energy-yielding metabolism and neurological function; B6 supports immune function and neurotransmitter synthesis (serotonin, noradrenaline, melatonin) relevant to mood/sleep; B12 supports red blood cell formation, myelin/nerve function, and fatigue reduction.

Evidence base: Hemilä & Chalker 2013; Carr & Maggini 2017; Wintergerst 2006; Roy 2014; Nowak 2016; Tardy 2020; Munteanu 2024; Mitra 2022; Moore 2012.

3.3 Botanical: Panax ginseng

Included to support alertness and perceived energy during sustained tasks, with ginsenosides implicated in cognitive and vascular effects and inflammation modulation—relevant to long-haul, disrupted sleep, and immobility. (Reay 2005; Kim 2018.)

Note: The product complements, not replaces, sensible travel habits: move regularly, drink water, and follow medical advice as appropriate.

4. Hydration Calculator: Scientific Methodology
4.1 Personalisation Inputs

Age, sex, height, weight are used to estimate Total Body Water (TBW) and body surface area (BSA). TBW is approximated as ~60% body mass for males and ~55% for females; BSA via DuBois:


BSA (m²) = 0.007184 × Height(cm)^0.725 × Weight(kg)^0.425.


Flight-environment parameters include cabin pressure altitude and relative humidity (typical ranges used when not measured) and flight duration. Aircraft with lower cabin altitude (e.g., B787/A350) are modelled with a modest reduction factor.

4.2 Insensible Fluid Loss Model

We model resting insensible water loss as the sum of transepidermal and respiratory evaporation, scaled by altitude and humidity:

BaseRate = 25 mL·h⁻¹ under temperate sea-level indoor conditions (rest).
AltitudeFactor = 1 + 0.10 × (CabinAltitude / 2,000 ft).
HumidityFactor = 1 + (1 − RH) × 0.25, where RH is fractional relative humidity (e.g., 0.15).

FluidLoss_rate (mL·h⁻¹) = BaseRate × AltitudeFactor × HumidityFactor.
Total fluid loss is the time integral over flight duration.

4.3 Sodium Loss Model

Sodium loss in insensible routes is estimated using an average sodium concentration of 30 mmol·L⁻¹ for evaporative losses at rest:

SodiumLoss (mg) = FluidLoss (L) × 30 (mmol·L⁻¹) × 23 (mg·mmol⁻¹).

The calculator outputs total estimated water and sodium losses and supports staged intake schedules and electrolyte replacement commensurate with the loss estimate. Assumptions target healthy adults at rest.

4.4 Figures

Figure 1: Estimated fluid-loss rate vs. cabin altitude at 15% RH.

Figure 2: Estimated sodium loss vs. flight duration at 8,000 ft and 15% RH.

Figure 3: Fluid-loss rate vs. relative humidity at fixed 8,000 ft cabin altitude.

Figure 4: Cumulative water and sodium loss over time at 8,000 ft and 15% RH

Figure 5: Uncertainty band for sodium loss (20–40 mmol·L⁻¹) with central 30 mmol·L⁻¹.

Figure 6: Per-serving nutrient coverage as % of NRV for the Good Flyte formulation.

5. Alignment with Authorised Claims

Where dosage thresholds are met, ingredients align with EU/UK authorised claims, e.g., magnesium contributes to electrolyte balance and reduction of tiredness and fatigue; sodium/potassium contribute to normal muscle function; vitamin C contributes to normal immune function and protection from oxidative stress; vitamin D contributes to normal immune function and muscle function.

6. Limitations and Intended Use

The model assumes a resting state and typical cabin conditions; it does not account for fever, alcohol, diuretics, illness, or high exertion (e.g., sprinting between gates). Inter-individual variability is substantial; outputs provide guidance, not medical advice. Product efficacy also depends on adherence to intake guidance and broader behaviours (movement, sleep hygiene, nutrition).

7. Conclusion

Good Flyte integrates an evidence-led formulation with a transparent physiological model of water and sodium losses at altitude. By addressing cabin-specific stressors with appropriate electrolytes, vitamins, and supportive botanicals—and by quantifying anticipated losses—the approach aims to improve comfort, sustain energy, and support immune readiness from take-off to touchdown.

References

Cabin environment, hydration physiology, modelling
Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes for Water, Potassium, Sodium, Chloride, and Sulfate. 2004.
Aerospace Medical Association. Cabin Air Quality and Pressurisation in Commercial Aircraft. 2012.
Sawka MN, Cheuvront SN, Carter R. Human Water Needs. Nutrition Reviews. 2005.
EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies. Dietary Reference Values for water. 2010.
Watson PE, Watson ID, Batt RD. Total body water volumes from anthropometry. Am J Clin Nutr. 1980.
Casa DJ et al. Fluid Replacement for Athletes (Position Statement). J Athl Train. 2000.
Wilmore JH, Costill DL. Physiology of Sport and Exercise. 2004.
Lieberman HR. Hydration and Cognition: review. Nutrients. 2007.
Armstrong LE. Assessing Hydration Status. J Am Coll Nutr. 2007.

Electrolytes and rehydration
Zubac D, Buoite Stella A, Morrison SA. Up in the Air: Dehydration Risk & Long-Haul Flight. Nutrients. 2020;12:2574.
Choi D-H et al. Electrolyte Supplements & Body Water Homeostasis. Applied Sciences. 2021;11:9093.
Hoffman MD, Stuempfle KJ. Sodium Supplementation in Prolonged Exercise. JSCR. 2016;30:615–620.
Nielsen B et al. Fluid balance in rehydration with glucose-electrolyte drinks. Eur J Appl Physiol. 1986;55:318–325.
Maughan RJ et al. Post-exercise rehydration: electrolyte addition. Eur J Appl Physiol. 1994;69:209–215.

Vitamins (C, D, B-complex) & immunity/energy
Hemilä H, Chalker E. Vitamin C and the common cold. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013;CD000980.
Carr AC, Maggini S. Vitamin C and Immune Function. Nutrients. 2017;9:1211.
Kim Y et al. Vitamin C in anti-viral immune responses. Immune Network. 2013;13:70–74.
Wintergerst E, Maggini S, Hornig D. Immune-enhancing role of vitamin C and zinc. Ann Nutr Metab. 2006;50:85–94.
Roy S et al. Correction of low vitamin D improves fatigue. NAJMS. 2014;6:396–402.
Nowak A et al. Vitamin D₃ and self-perceived fatigue. Medicine (Baltimore). 2016;95:e5353.
Tardy A-L et al. Vitamins & Minerals for Energy, Fatigue and Cognition. Nutrients. 2020;12:228.
Munteanu C, Schwartz B. B Vitamins, Glucuronolactone and the Immune System. Nutrients. 2024;16(1):24.
Mitra S et al. Immune-supporting functions of vitamins and minerals. Molecules. 2022;27:555.
Moore E et al. Cognitive impairment and vitamin B12: a review. Int Psychogeriatrics. 2012;24:541–556.

Botanical
Reay JL, Kennedy DO, Scholey AB. Panax ginseng and cognitive performance. J Psychopharmacol. 2005;19:357–365.
Kim TH, Kim SK, Yang JH, Park WJ. Ginsenosides & cardiovascular properties. J Ginseng Res. 2018;42:248–253.