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One of the great joys of traveling is trying new and exciting foods in the culture you’re immersing yourself in. However, things don’t always work out after a delicious meal in a beautiful setting. Sometimes the result is far from beautiful. Trying new food in a new place can lead to stomach upset or food poisoning, and no one wants to get sick on vacation. A recent study by Radical Storage identified the top ten destinations where Americans are prone to stomachaches, and some of the results may surprise you.
65% of Americans surveyed said they experienced stomach ache from eating or drinking while traveling. More than half of those who experienced stomach aches said they ruined 2-3 days of their trip. When you’re spending your hard-earned money on vacations day in and day out, stomach aches can definitely take a toll on your wallet and your vacation time. Below are the destinations where Americans are most likely to experience stomach problems and the percentage of respondents who reported having problems there.
These are the top 10 destinations for Americans with stomach issues.
1) Mexico (43.2%)
2) United Kingdom (33.1%)
3) Canada (30.7%)
4) Italy (22.1%)
5) France (21.5%)
6) China (17.4%)
7) India (16.6%)
8) Spain (16.2%)
9) Germany (15.8%)
10) Dominican Republic (14.6%)
According to the study, the older you are, the less likely you are to experience stomach aches while traveling. This seems counterintuitive, as statistics tell us that the older you get, the more likely you are to experience health problems. However, younger travelers are often more adventurous and willing to take risks with food and drinks. 31 percent of respondents who had fallen ill said they were certain they became ill after eating food from a non-restaurant vendor such as a street food vendor.
Income played a role in who got sick and who didn’t. Respondents who earned more than $80,000 a year reported the least gastrointestinal problems, indicating that spending more on food and beverages reduced their risk of disease. However, 100% of foodborne illnesses cannot be prevented. Even five-star restaurants have the occasional ingredient that runs out when a customer gets sick.
The clear “winner” for destinations most likely to experience stomach problems was Mexico, with 43% of respondents reporting problems there. 31% of those respondents said they would avoid vacations to the area based on their experience. Many have heard of Montezuma’s revenge, usually gathered from drinking tap water in Mexico. The disease only affects tourists and visitors as the natives of the area are resistant to the bacteria that cause the disease. When traveling internationally, it’s a good idea to do your research on whether the local tap water will harm you or not, and if you’re not sure, try to stick to bottled water. Despite the risks, 31.5% of respondents said they would be willing to drink tap water while on vacation.
How to prevent stomach disease
While there are never 100% guarantees, you can take steps to protect yourself from stomach ailments while on vacation. Many Americans don’t have guaranteed vacation time, so it’s important to take advantage of every moment when you travel. Here are a few things you can do to reduce your risk of developing a stomach ache.
- Research tap water. Many countries have tap water that is safe for Americans. Again, it’s important to know if your destination falls into that category before you leave.
- Never eat undercooked meat.
- Stay hydrated. Your stomach works best when it has enough water, so keep drinking water throughout the day.
- Wash your hands. If there’s one thing that Covid has drilled into everyone’s mind, it’s hand washing. Gastroenteritis (stomach flu) is often transmitted by hand. If you can’t wash, consider using hand sanitizer.
Regardless of your destination, if you take the proper precautions, eat at reputable restaurants and grocery stores, and do your research, you won’t be in trouble.
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Disclaimer: Current travel laws and restrictions Subject to change without notice. Travel decisions are ultimately your responsibility. Before you travel, check with your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your citizenship and/or any changes to travel requirements. Off Road Travel does not support traveling against government advice.
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