Drinking water can combat 'economy class syndrome'

The chances of getting an in-flight blood clot could be reduced by simply drinking more water while flying.

Blood clots can form in the legs of air passengers who sit still for long periods and are lethal if they move into vital organs like the heart and lungs. The condition is known as "economy class syndrome"

Japanese researchers say drinking fluids maintains blood pressure and blood flow at higher altitudes.

Deep-vein thrombosis is believed to affect around 150 passengers a year at Tokyo's international airport and 25 people have died from the condition in the last eight years.

The team from Saitama Medical School, Moroyama, put volunteers in a pressure chamber to mimic in-flight conditions.

Those given fluids maintained a healthy blood pressure, but those that weren't saw their levels fall, according to New Scientist.

Toshiro Makino, the director of Tokyo airport's clinic, said: "The biggest problem is dehydration, and that is made worse by drinking alcohol. My advice is to keep off the alcohol and drink lots of water."