KEY THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT PYCNOGENOL
By now you may have heard of 1Above’s key active ingredient - Pycnogenol®. Travellers, athletes and and scientists around the world swear by it for improving cognitive functioning, muscle recovery, and of course, the symptoms of jet lag. It can even help you get through a hangover! We explore the science behind this miraculous ingredient and clue you in on all the ways you can benefit from it.
In the 1960s, a scientist called Charles Haimoff developed a revolutionary substance in his Berlin laboratory. This substance, now known as Pycnogenol®, was extracted from the bark of the French maritime pine tree. Since Haimoff first discovered this unique substance, millions of dollars have been invested in scientific research to ensure the safety and effectiveness of Pycnogenol®.
According to a scientific study, Pycnogenol® has been proven to reduce the length of jet lag by 53.8% and severity by an average of 61.5% after 24 hours. The study involved analysing two groups of travellers, the first group who did take Pycnogenol® and the second group who did not. The results showed the first group took 18.2 hours on average to recover from their jet lag when they took Pycnogenol®, whereas the second group took 39.3 hours to recover after not taking Pycnogenol®. That’s a huge 21.1 hours difference - Pycnogenol can save you from a whole day of suffering from jet lag.
Boost your immunityAnother study found that Pycnogenol® has been shown to reduce the average length of the common cold and reduce symptoms by 1.7 days (or 20%). As part of your body’s natural defence system, your body produces mucus in your ears, eyes, nose and throat. Because the plane environment is very dry, this defence process is haltered and consequently, you are 5 times as likely to catch flu or another illness on a plane, making keeping hydrated while flying essential.
Research found that no one in a group of 198 travellers taking Pycnogenol® had signs of any thrombosis events, whereas the control group who did not take Pycnogenol® reported 5 cases. Another study found that travellers taking Pycnogenol® had 45% less ankle swelling than those who did not take it. The reason why Pycnogenol® is so effective for increasing circulation is that it’s been shown to promote the production of nitric oxide, which helps to keep blood vessels open and relaxed.
When you consume 1Above for air travel you can enjoy the benefits that we offer in the areas of Jet Lag, Immunity, & Circulation through a combination of Pycnogenol® and other essential vitamins and finally hydration through the electrolytes included to help you hydrate fast. Remember a plane's cabin is dryer than the Sahara desert!
Studies have shown that Pycnogenol® can significantly reduce muscular pain and cramps in athletes as well as normal individuals after exercise. Pycnogenol® has the ability to increase blood flow to muscle tissue, which is key to reducing cramping and muscle pain after physical activity.
We continue to be told from our fans that 1Above helps with the next day post a few alcoholic drinks. That’s right, Pycnogenol® can help relieve you from that horrible fogginess the morning after a big night! Pycnogenol® increases cognitive functioning and allows you to be mentally alert even when you’re worn out. The results from a study show that Pycnogenol® increases mental performance by 17%.
Belcaro G et al (2004). Pycnogenol® prevents thrombosis and thrombophlebitis in long-haul flights.
Clin Appl Thromb Hemost. 10(4): 289-294 Belcaro, et al. (2008). Jet lag prevention with Pycnogenol. Preliminary report: evaluation in health individualised hypertensive patients.
Minerva Cardioangiol: 56 (5 Suppl):3–9 Belcaro, G. (2013). Pycnogenol supplementation speeds-up recovery from a common cold, and even more efficiently in combination with vitamin C and zinc.
Otorinolaringol 63: 151-161, 2013 Cesarone M R et al (2005). Pycnogenol® is effective against swelling of ankles during long flights based on the subjective and objective data in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
Clin Appl Thromb Hemost 11 (3): 289-294 Hocking & Foster. (2004). Common cold transmission in commercial aircraft: Industry and passenger. Journal of Environmental Health Research. Vol 3. Issue 1.