Blood tests reveal why astronauts get constipated in space
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen and NASA have identified that microgravity causes food to move slower through the digestive tract, leading to increased protein fermentation by gut bacteria. This process is likely the primary cause of the constipation frequently experienced by astronauts.
Why it matters
Identifying the biological causes of space-related health issues is essential for the success of long-term human space exploration missions.
Constipation is a familiar problem for astronauts, but scientists have not fully understood why spending time in space can disrupt normal digestion.
New research from the University of Copenhagen, conducted in collaboration with NASA, offers a possible explanation. Scientists analyzed blood samples from 52 astronauts who spent months aboard the International Space Station and found signs that the digestive system begins changing relatively soon after astronauts leave Earth.
"We see changes in astronauts' blood samples that indicate that the gut bacteria begin to ferment protein to a greater extent than usual within weeks after the astronauts arrive in space, and this change continues until they are back on Earth," says joint first author and associate professor at the Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, Giorgia La Barbera.
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