An extract of French maritime pine bark known as Pycnogenol® helped reduce jet lag symptoms, including temporary cognitive impairment, in a study that included pilots, flight attendants, airline staff, frequent flyers, and individuals with hypertension.¹

The term "jet lag" describes the symptoms that occur following long flights that cross at least two time zones and are generally more pronounced after flights that travel from west to east. These symptoms may include:

• Fatigue, insomnia and irregular sleep patterns
• Loss of appetite, nausea and upset stomach
• Headaches and sinus irritation
• Dehydration
• Disorientation, irritability, irrational behavior
• Impaired cognitive performance

In this study, after flying 10-12 hours west to east, participants who took Pycnogenol® had fewer or less severe symptoms and fewer nights of altered sleep compared with those who did not receive it. Additionally, ankle circumference increased to a lesser extent among those who received Pycnogenol®, indicating less fluid retention. The dosage among the 65 participants in the test group was 50 milligrams every eight hours for seven days, beginning 48 hours prior to flying.

Although cognitive function was negatively impacted among most participants, those who used Pycnogenol® had higher average post-flight cognitive function scores than the control group.

The authors concluded that "Pycnogenol® was effective in preventing jet lag-related symptoms and preserving cognitive functions without tolerability problems."