Yes, I said flatulence. I was talking to a friend today and she was telling me that with the altitude and the amount of cheese you eat in Switzerland, you need to be sure to drink the wine and not alot of water or you will be in agony. Any comments?

I would think you'd get very dehydrated.

I for one have never been in "agony" due to flatulence. The people around me, now that's a different story...

Guy18, Ha!

Did the friend explain the science of drinking the wine and not the water to prevent flatulence?

I think your friend was either pulling your leg, or she gets a kickback from purveyors of Swiss wines.

Not that there's anything wrong with drinking lots of Swiss wine. . . but the water is OK too.

Guy18
you are too funny....

and I think that just stinks....

Wine cuts cheese - really.

is it Friday already..?

Has anyone ever had a Swiss wine?

I hope Budman reads this before his upcoming trip!

Well, just dont get trapped on the plane with this problem!! Your fellow passengers will be in agony!!!!

Bird, when I was on my hiking trip in Switzerland in 2004 we did a hike through a vineyard and stopped in for a wine tasting. Usually at a wine tasting they pour tiny bits of wine into your glass and provide a spittoon. However at this tasting they were giving us full glasses and no spittoon, so after my 8th glass, it all tasted like water to me anyway.

We were told that Swiss wine is never exported, so you'll have to go there to taste Swiss wine. But hey, I'll take any excuse to go to Switzerland.

What about the beer?

Talk about a lot of hot air!

OK, I answered Bird's question, now I'll address the OP. I highly recommend the wine and cheese in Switzerland, but it is imperative that you drink a lot of water, especially at high altitudes. I cannot think of any place in the world where drinking too much water is bad for you.

There is one great thing about flatulence in Switzerland--you can always blame it on the cows!!

So true, P. M., and if you're in Appenzell, no one will notice how much flatulence you have.

Generally speaking, most folks, when traveling, anywhere, experience "changes". Typically flatulence and/or constipation, or worse... All due to time differences, consuming new foods and beverages (often in exceptionally new quantities) (like that new coffee addict), even the change in the water, no matter how safe to drink - it's just different and affects your "system".

We in the medical profession consider mild to moderate flatulence a sign of a healthy gastrointestinal system.

You should all count your blessings.

Thanks,platzman. I'm going to show this to my wife.

platzman...I'm no doctor but agree with you...after all we're human & flatulence comes naturally..

Changing pressure can indeed affect gastrointestinal throughput - ask people who fly for a living in pressurized cabins. a risk in air transport of post op patients is wound dehiscence.
platzman - reminds me of the old joke that when the idea of flatulence as an indicator of health was told to one woman she said "my husband will live forever" ;-)