Chewy rice cakes to calm nerves for fliers

EATING rice can help nervous fliers feel less stressed, according to an Oxford professor.

An in-flight meal which claims to boost the immune system, calm the nerves, settle the stomach and even fight jet lag is being tried out by the airline Monarch.

The menu was created by Prof Charles Spence, of Oxford University, who has helped Heston Blumenthal create many of his gastronomic masterpieces.

It includes immunity boosting echinacea and liquorice ice cream, relaxing green tea and lavender cakes, herbal tea and energising, umami-rich snack bars.

Prof Spence said the lavender mochi rice cakes were ideal for relaxing passengers. “The soft, chewy texture of the rice [mochi rice cake] encourages mastication which has proven antistress properties,” he said.

Prior to take-off, echinacea and liquorice ice cream is meant to reduce the symptoms of coughs and colds. Its black colour should also help distract them.

Around 30 minutes into the flight, travellers are served a blend of herbal tea with camomile, fennel seed and kelp, to combat bloating and aid indigestion, which hits 18 per cent of travellers. The tea will be served with a crunchy, seaweed biscuit.

The new in-flight menu starts on a select number of flights from Luton to Naples, Gibraltar and Malaga from the beginning of this week.