Story at a glance

• A new study compared two groups of people, ages 18 to 40, and monitored how their bodies reacted after consuming alcohol and sleeping four four-hour stretches in an environment with air pressure similar to that of a plane cabin.

• The study found that, regardless of age, those who drank saw decreased blood oxygen levels (85% on average, vs. 95%), shorter REM cycles and increased heart rates – likely to make up for the lower oxygen level.

• "Our findings strongly suggest that the inflight consumption of alcoholic beverages should be restricted," the study says.

(NEXSTAR) – Whether it's tomato juice, coffee or a stiff drink, many people have a go-to airplane beverage.

© The Hill