The Drink
In order to make Mile High as effective as possible, three key themes were addressed:
1. UNIQUENESS OF CABIN ENVIRONMENT
Completed and ongoing research is showing that a synergistic combination of environmental factors in the aircraft effect passenger health. We feel that this validates the philosophy of Mile High, designed using the concept of synergy to improve its effectiveness. Nutrients work most effectively in the body in combination and Mile High has been formulated around the same concept using the ingredients that complement each other. Although each one provides multiple benefits individually, they also work together enhancing its potential to help with as wide a range of enviromental factors as posible.
'Air Travel and Health,' the government report published in November 2000 by the Select Committee on Science and Technology is generally agreed to be the most authoritative and detailed study of aviation health issues yet written. The report highlighted the significance and need to consider the combined factors associated with stress and air travel. It stated that due to the unique nature of the aircraft cabin environment it is very unlikely that any ailment would be found to be caused by a single factor and that measures intended to alleviate a given health concern must take into account the interaction of a number of environmental issues. These conclusions were reached as a result of research from the Aerospace Medical Association, BAE systems, Cranfield University College of Aeronautics and the Royal College of Nursing.
New research instigated by the original 2000 report is indeed showing that the combined effects of the aircarft cabin environment are linked to various ailments experienced by air travellers. Two of the most notable studies are listed below:
The World Health Organisation research into global hazards of travel has set up the WHRIGHT PROJECT. This two stage study has confirmed links between health and multiple factors in the cabin environment. The major concerns for passenger health which have been prioritised for further reaserch by the project are:
* The physical and Chemical Effects Of Air Quality
* Deep Vein Thrombosis
* Infection
* Cosmic Radiation
* Jet Lag
The original 2000 report prioritised further research of jetlag as a confounding effect in the future study of DVT, cabin air quality and infection risk.
There is also a European Union study known as the IDEAL CABIN ENVIRONMENT PROJECT that is due to report in the autumn of 2008. Its aim is to "address concerns about the combined effects of cabin environmental parameters on health and well-being of passengers in commercial aircraft".
The project is a consortuim and the prominent names of the many partners show the importance that is being given to this research into ways of improving the health of the airline passenger. The companies and institutions involved include:
* Airbus Deutschland Gmbh (Germany)
* The Royal Free and University College Medical School (UK)
* The Medical University Of Vienna
* The Civil Aviation Authority Aviation Health Unit (UK)
2. BIO-INDIVIDUALITY
In addition to external factors that may influence how a passenger feels during and after a flight, unique biological make-up also has a part to play in their capacity to deal with health issues when flying. Everyone responds in different ways; some may be more prone to digestive discomfort while others may be more susceptible to colds. The ingredients have therefore been carefully chosen to provide nutrients that offer a broad range of support for different systems in the body.
3. SIMPLICITY
Mile High has been kept simple. Choosing to provide the nutrients in the form of a drink means that it can be easily incorporated into onboard catering. A juice drink also allows the body to quickly absorb nutrients, increasing bioavailability and because each ingredient has multiple benefits, it only contains four.
The drink will be available in 250ml bottles to fit easily into hand luggage. To make best use of the juices in Mile High we recommend a bottle or two before and after flying; whilst flying approximately one botlle every four hours. Mile High original is the first of what will be a range of Mile High drinks. Under development are versions for everyday use and one for kids.
