Constipation is common in astronauts—blood tests provide new answers
For astronauts in space, constipation is a well-known problem. But why this happens has long been unclear. Now, a new study from the University of Copenhagen in collaboration with NASA provides an idea of what happens in the stomach without the influence of gravity.
In space, constipation is a common issue among astronauts. The cause of this has been unclear until now. A new study from the University of Copenhagen, in partnership with NASA, has investigated why this happens. Researchers analyzed blood samples from 52 astronauts who were on months-long missions to the International Space Station.
They discovered that changes in the gut bacteria occur shortly after astronauts leave Earth and gravity behind, which lead to increased protein fermentation in the gut. This fermentation continues until the astronauts return to Earth. Protein fermentation is a natural process where gut bacteria break down protein instead of fiber due to the depletion of dietary fiber.
The researchers believe that the lack of gravity in space slows down the movement of food through the intestine, which may contribute to constipation in astronauts. This finding, published in the journal Nature Communications, is crucial as gut changes can affect the entire body, including the brain. Longer space missions to the moon and beyond may require countermeasures to mitigate the negative effects of space travel on the intestines.
The research not only applies to space travelers but also to bedridden patients on Earth who also experience constipation, possibly due to increased protein fermentation.
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