Health
Flight passengers warned as airline water systems test positive for contamination
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Flight passengers may want to think twice before ordering drinks or washing their hands on the plane, a new analysis suggests.
The Center for Food as Medicine and Longevity, based in New York City, recently reviewed airline water systems over a three-year period, analyzing over 35,000 samples collected between 2022 and 2025.
The study evaluated both major and regional carriers, grading them based on contamination violations, E. coli findings, maintenance practices and how frequently water systems were cleaned, according to a press release.
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A score of 3.5 or higher was considered indicative of relatively safe water, while lower scores reflected potentially unhealthy onboard water.
The analysis found 32 E. coli violations across 21 airlines during the study window.
The Center for Food as Medicine and Longevity, based in New York City, recently reviewed airline water systems over a three-year period. (iStock)
Delta Air Lines received the highest scores for water safety, with Alaska Airlines also ranking well. Spirit Airlines, JetBlue and American Airlines placed at the bottom of the rankings.
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Charles Platkin, the researcher behind the study, told Fox News Digital that airlines often cite compliance with federal guidelines, though much of the data is self-reported.
“Compliance should be the floor, not the ceiling,” he said.
Results indicated that Delta Air Lines earned the strongest marks for water safety, with Alaska Airlines also performing well. (iStock)
The study examined whether airlines are doing enough beyond minimum requirements to protect passengers, according to Platkin.
He noted that travelers should not have to worry about the safety of onboard water when ordering drinks or washing their hands while flying. “These aren’t luxuries; they’re basic expectations,” he said.
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Nicolette M. Pace, a registered dietitian and founder of NutriSource in New York, said the findings reinforce the importance of taking simple precautions when flying.
Passengers can reduce risk by filling reusable water bottles after clearing security or purchasing bottled water, Pace recommended, adding that hand sanitizer is preferable to washing hands with airplane tap water.
“Compliance should be the floor, not the ceiling.”
Consuming contaminated water, even at low levels, can disrupt digestion and weaken immune defenses, she warned.
It’s especially important for children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems to take extra precautions, Pace cautioned.
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Fox News Digital reached out to airlines that ranked at the top and bottom of the study requesting comment.
Spirit Airlines said it maintains an extensive testing and maintenance program for onboard water systems that complies with the Environmental Protection Agency’s Aircraft Drinking Water Rule.
Rather than drinking water provided on the flight, passengers may reduce risk by filling reusable bottles after clearing security or purchasing bottled water, experts advise. (iStock)
“The well-being and comfort of our guests is very important to us,” the airline said, adding that its data shows progress in recent years and that it continues to review and refine procedures as needed.
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American Airlines told Fox News Digital that its potable water program is fully compliant with EPA requirements and that a recent EPA audit found no significant issues.
The airline said it is reviewing the Center for Food as Medicine & Longevity’s analysis, including its methodology, to determine whether any changes could further enhance passenger safety.
The analysis placed Spirit Airlines, JetBlue and American Airlines at the bottom for water safety. (iStock)
Delta Air Lines said ranking highest in water safety reflects its commitment to providing clean, safe, potable water for customers and employees.
“Safety and quality in all aspects of our global service and operation are paramount at Delta,” the airline said.
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JetBlue also commented, stating that safety is “their first responsibility” and that they serve bottled purified drinking water on all flights.
“For coffee and tea preparation, JetBlue follows processes outlined by the EPA, the FDA and the FAA to ensure our water supply is safe,” the spokesperson told Fox News Digital, adding that they perform routine water system sampling and cleaning procedures in accordance with regulatory guidelines to ensure that water used on planes is safe and reliable.
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A simple lifestyle adjustment could potentially slow down the body’s biological aging process, according to new research.
The study, published in the journal Aging, investigated how a diet change and easy exercise regimen affected men between the ages of 50 and 74 over a three-month period.
Researchers designed a clinical trial involving 48 overweight men in Japan. Over a 12-week period, half of the participants followed a strictly structured wellness routine, while the other half maintained their usual habits.
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For the intervention group, the routine required consuming 100 grams of plain yogurt every day.
This group also received individualized dietary counseling that advised them to curb overeating, avoid excessive snacking and cut out sugary drinks.
A simple lifestyle adjustment could potentially slow down the body’s biological aging process, according to new research. (iStock)
They were also instructed to walk or use a stepper machine for roughly 30 minutes a day, at least three days each week.
To measure the impact of these changes, the scientists collected blood samples from all participants before and after the study, and also analyzed DNA for chemical changes that act as indicators of cellular age.
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Specifically, they used a measurement tool called DunedinPACE. Rather than assessing a person’s chronological age in years, this tool calculates the precise rate at which an individual’s body is currently aging.
The men who consumed the probiotic yogurt, adjusted their diets and exercised showed a statistically significant reduction in their pace of aging compared to the control group, the researchers said.
The anti-aging benefits cannot be attributed to any single component on its own due to the variety in the study, the researchers noted. (iStock)
On average, the speed of their biological aging slowed by approximately 2.2%. This reduction is roughly comparable to the slowing of biological aging observed in a previous two-year U.S. study, in which participants reduced their daily calorie intake by 25%.
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This reduction in aging speed happened independently of weight loss , meaning it did not directly correlate with changes in the participants’ body mass index or the exact number of exercise sessions they logged.
The researchers also recorded a noticeable improvement in a specific DNA marker that is linked to kidney function.
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Because this study combined three distinct factors — probiotics, diet and exercise — the authors concluded that the anti-aging benefits cannot be attributed to any single component. Instead, the slowed aging rate appears to be the result of a combined effect.
The reduction in aging speed happened independently of weight loss, the study found. (iStock)
The researchers also acknowledged clear limitations of the study, including its small sample size and short duration. Also, the participant pool was restricted to overweight men of a single nationality.
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More research is needed to determine whether these short-term biological shifts can translate into permanent, long-term health benefits, the study stated.
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The simple act of noting how fast your heart is beating while you’re at rest may be the key to measuring your overall health.
Resting heart rate is defined by Mayo Clinic as the number of times your heart beats each minute while you’re awake, calm and not moving.
A normal resting heart rate ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute for adults. A slower resting heart rate means the heart does not have the work as heard to pump blood through the body — something typical of someone who is more fit.
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Athletes who are very fit may have a resting heart rate closer to 40 beats per minute, according to Mayo Clinic.
Your resting heart rate can vary due to a variety of factors, including age, physical activity levels, sleep health, smoking, cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, diabetes, stress, anxiety, hormones, body type and certain medications.
A normal resting heart rate ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute for adults, according to medical experts. (iStock)
But a resting heart rate that’s often too high or too low may signal a health issue.
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A high resting heart rate, even if it’s slight, is usually a sign that something else may be going on in the body, such as anemia, an infection or a thyroid problem, according to Cleveland Clinic.
A high resting heart rate, even if it’s slight, is usually a sign that something else may be going on in the body. (iStock)
If your heart rate is regularly above 100 beats per minute, this is a sign to talk with your heart care provider.
The same advice applies if you are not a trained athlete and your resting heart rate is frequently below 60 beats per minute.
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Talk to your doctor if other symptoms such as fainting, dizziness or shortness of breath occur.
How to measure your heart rate
You can check your own heart rate by tracking your pulse on your wrist or neck. The best time of day to measure resting heart rate is first thing in the morning, says Mayo Clinic.
Place your index and middle fingers inside the wrist below the thumb, to feel the radial artery; or, do so on the side of the neck, to feel the carotid artery.
Place your index and middle fingers on the side of the neck, to feel the carotid artery — and count how many beats per minute. (iStock)
Count the number of times your pulse beats in 15 seconds, then multiply this number by four to calculate beats per minute.
Wearable devices can also detect and track resting heart rate, although this may not always be accurate.
How to lower your heart rate
If your resting heart rate is higher than normal, there are a few ways to work toward lowering it.
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Vigorous exercise is “the best way” to lower your resting heart rate and increase the heart’s aerobic capacity and max heart rate, according to Harvard.
For those who don’t exercise regularly, it’s important to work your way up in difficulty when following a new workout routine.
Vigorous exercise is “the best way” to lower your resting heart rate, Harvard Health says. But it’s vital to work your way up carefully. (iStock)
Some medications, such as beta blockers, can also lower heart rate. In the same way, managing stress through holistic methods such as meditation or yoga can also help.
Cleveland Clinic also recommends cutting back on harmful substances such as drugs and alcohol, which can dehydrate you and raise your heart rate.
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Adequate sleep can also help bring your heart rate down, in addition to maintaining a healthy weight.
Cardiologist Tamanna Singh, M.D., shared with Cleveland Clinic that lowering your heart rate takes time as various lifestyle changes kick in.
Managing stress through holistic methods such as meditation or yoga can help lower your resting heart rate,
“Just like building your biceps and triceps, it takes time for your heart to become stronger,” the doctor said.
Singh recommended focusing on heart rate patterns rather than dialing in on just the number.
Take note of how your heart rate changes after eating certain foods, when you’re dehydrated or after you’ve begun a new exercise or stress management routine.
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“If you notice that your heart rate is consistently over 100, mention it to your doctor, especially if you’ve tried making lifestyle changes and they don’t seem to be working,” she said.
“Your resting heart rate isn’t the be-all, end-all of your health, but it’s definitely a marker that you should pay attention to.”
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