Smile If the Flight Attendant Asks If You Would Like Some Pocari

With this information as a background, a group of Japanese researchers led by Hamada performed their own observation, about which they wrote a research letter to the editor of JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association). They used a product from Otsuka Pharmaceutical called Pocari in an attempt to prevent lower leg blood thickening (viscosity) during long airplane flights. Pocari is somewhat similar to the Gatorade used by athletes to avoid dehydration and preserve their energy. Both have carbohydrates and sodium. The formula for Pocari contains two electrolytes consisting of 21.0 mEq/L of sodium, and 5.0 mEq/L of potassium, plus 6.7% carbohydrate. Forty healthy young men were studied during a long flight after eating a standard meal and fluids for 2 days. Twenty were randomly chosen to drink either water or Pocari at multiple specific intervals during which they remained seated for 9 hours. The results indicated that the Pocari group fared significantly better as measured by net fluid balance, plasma volume, and blood viscosity. It was concluded that a beverage containing electrolytes and carbohydrates "may provide better hydration than plain water alone during long flights." For those among the readers who have access to Pocari and might want to try it on their next flight I would like to quote someone who drank the stuff. The commentary follows, but please do not blame me for writing it. I actually cut out the more horrifically descriptive portions. It goes like this, "Japan's version of Gatorade, Pocari sweat, is thick, salty, sweet - and looks like a sumo wrestler wrung out his diaper moisture into a glass after a day of slapping his belly against other dudes. Worse, it smelt like those chemicals your not supposed to sniff, like ammonia." My own impression can only relate to a taste I once had of Gatorade, which though not quite that horrific, nevertheless was never again allowed to pass my lips. I have one further comment about this study. Since this was only a research letter, perhaps the authors merely left out a few things. However, I would have liked to have some indication as to how it was determined that all the participants in the study were "healthy men."

This is your Captain; It's now 1 PM. Welcome on board flight two eighty two. Fasten your seat belts. Enjoy your Pocari. Your attendants are Mary, and of course Katy too. This is your Captain. It's now 4PM, That's Dali you see ahead on your right It's time again for Pocari so drink every drop. You must be fortified. It's a very long flight. This is your Captain. It's now 8 PM. Who is that hitting my door with a shoe? I'm sure you'll feel better as soon as we land. So please untie Mary, and of course Katy too.

Cartoons and Poems following each article are created and copyrighted by Dr. Ackerman and cannot be copied or reproduced without his permission. Copyright © 2006 by Marvin Ackerman, M.D.