What Frequent Flyers Know About Avoiding Digestive Issues
Planning a girls' trip to Italy? Weekend getaway with your partner? Business travel coming up? Don't let digestive drama derail your plans
What Really Happens To Your Gut During Travel
Picture this: You've been planning the perfect getaway for months. You've researched every detail, planned those incredible experiences, and are getting so excited about the memories you’ll make. But three days into your trip, you're bloated, constipated, and spending more time worrying about your digestion than enjoying the beautiful destination you’ve been dreaming about.
If this resonates with you, you're definitely not alone! And here's the exciting part – there’s actual science behind why this happens AND what you can do about it.
Research published in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene found that 40% of travelers developed gastrointestinal symptoms that actually interrupted their trip.¹
But here's what's really happening: Another study found that travel significantly increased gut microbiota fluctuations in healthy individuals, even without diarrhea symptoms.2
Why Some Travelers Have Perfect Digestion (The Science Revealed)
Your gut bacteria adapt to your lifestyle. They thrive on your morning coffee routine, your usual bedtime, and even your regular stress patterns. When you suddenly change your sleep schedule, diet, time zones, and activity levels, your microbiome can respond by shifting its entire composition.3
Think of it like this: your gut bacteria are like a well-orchestrated symphony. Travel throws them into chaos, and suddenly everyone plays a different tune.
But here's what's fascinating: research shows that travelers who started their trips with healthier, more balanced gut bacteria were better able to maintain digestive comfort during travel.2 This is where beneficial bacteria including some of the powerhouse strains found in Zoguri- become especially important—they're key players in supporting a healthy microbiome.2, 4, 5
The Clinical Evidence That Changes Everything
We're excited to share this research with you because it shows exactly why the L. reuteri strains in Zoguri are such incredible travel companions.
Think about the most common travel digestive complaints: bloating after long flights, abdominal discomfort from new foods, constipation from disrupted routines, and that general digestive unease that can put a damper on your adventures. Here's where the research gets really exciting for travelers:
A randomized controlled trial published in Frontiers studied L. reuteri strains DSM 17938 and ATCC PTA 6475 in people with moderate to severe IBS symptoms.4 The results were remarkable:
- Reduced intestinal inflammation (measured by fecal calprotectin)
- Meaningful improvements in bloating and abdominal pain
- Significant reduction in distention
- Better overall quality of life throughout the study
Another study in Beneficial Microbes tackled one of travelers’ biggest complaints: constipation. This research focused on L. reuteri DSM 17938 for functional constipation over 15 weeks, showing significant improvements in both constipation severity and quality of life measures.5
What makes this research so relevant for your travels? These studies demonstrate that L. reuteri strains help maintain digestive comfort through multiple pathways—reducing inflammation, supporting regular bowel movements, and promoting overall gut wellness.
The same mechanisms that helped people in these clinical settings are exactly what your gut needs when facing the stress and disruption of travel.
Your Travel Gut Health Strategy
Here’s where your commitment to gut health becomes your secret travel weapon! Understanding this science empowers you to make informed choices about supporting your microbiome during trips. Just like you pack comfortable shoes or sunscreen, considering your gut's needs should be part of your standard travel preparation.
Zoguri contains both keystone strains of L. reuteri from these clinical studies (DSM 17938 and ATCC PTA 6475), plus five other beneficial bacteria that replenish your gut microbiome and help you feel good from the inside out.
Think of it as nutritional insurance for your gut's natural resilience. Our fermented yogurt-based formula ensures these beneficial bacteria remain viable and active—similar to traditional fermented foods like yogurt or kefir, but with the convenience and consistency your travels demand.
Don't Let Travel Stop Your Gut Health Routine
Your commitment to gut health shouldn’t take a vacation just because you do! The key to maintaining that digestive comfort you’ve worked so hard to build while traveling? Staying consistent with your beneficial bacteria support. Zoguri customers have shared that staying consistent with their routine during travel helps them feel their best throughout their trips.
“I'm so used to taking Zoguri seven days a week when I travel, I don't want to be without it. I wrap my Zoguri container in frozen ice packs and tuck it in my carry-on luggage. I show it to TSA, and they're fine with it. This way I have it with me when I'm away for as many days as I'm gone. It works great!” - Lisa D.
Stories like Lisa’s remind us why we are so committed to supporting your wellness journey, wherever in the world it takes you. Dan, Zoguri's founder and frequent traveler, has also perfected the art of traveling with Zoguri through years of experience on the road.
Dan's Zo-On-The-Go Guide for Traveling with Zoguri
After countless business trips and vacations, our founder Dan has mastered the art of keeping Zoguri perfectly chilled on every adventure. Here are his tried-and-true strategies to ensure your Gut Buddies travel as comfortably as you do:
Pack It in Your Carry-On
Wrap your Zoguri container with freezer ice packs and pack it in your carry-on bag. This keeps your Gut Buddies close and ensures they stay at the perfect temperature throughout your journey.
Pro Tip: Make sure ice packs are completely frozen solid before TSA – any slush gets treated as liquid under the 3-1-1 rule.
TSA Game Plan
Here's Dan’s secret for smooth security screening: After placing your Zoguri container in the TSA bin, just let them know, “This is a medical supplement that needs refrigeration.” They’re completely used to travelers with refrigerated health products!
Keep Your Gut Buddies Cold
The moment you arrive at your destination, pop your Zoguri into the hotel minifridge. Your Gut Buddies will thank you for the consistent cool environment.
Don’t Panic if Ice Packs Melt: If your freezer pack thaws before you reach your destination, don’t fret, your live and active cultures will stay viable at room temperature – and they actually love a little warmth! As long as you haven't opened the container, those beneficial bacteria are still thriving. Just pop it in the fridge, let it cool down, open and enjoy after it's chilled.
Why This Works: Zoguri's fermentation and production process creates a naturally acidic, low pH environment that actively inhibits harmful bacterial growth. So, your sealed containers of Zoguri have built-in protection even at room temperature, keeping them viable.
Pro Tips: Pack extra freezer ice packs for longer travel days or consider bringing a small cooler bag for extra insulation. And always double-check that your hotel has a minifridge before you book!
Ready to Travel with Confidence?
The science is clear: travel can disrupt your gut microbiome and cause gastrointestinal distress, but understanding this process empowers you to take control. With the right foundation of beneficial bacteria, and a commitment to continue your gut support no matter where you are, you can focus on what travel is really about—creating wonderful memories and exploring new experiences.