{
  "id": 98101,
  "title": "Spaceflight could change how astronauts swallow, eat and drink in subtle ways",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/03/spaceflight-could-change-how-astronauts-swallow-eat-and-drink-in-98101",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-03T18:20:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Phys.org",
    "slug": "phys-org",
    "url": "https://phys.org/news/2026-08-spaceflight-astronauts-swallow-subtle-ways.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Spaceflight alters the human body in significant ways, including changes in how astronauts swallow, eat and drink. While astronauts can swallow in microgravity, the lack of gravity still provides subtle assistance. On Earth, gravity helps saliva pool in the mouth and pushes food and liquid down the esophagus after each swallow. In space, where fluids drift upward, this assistance is reduced, potentially causing challenges. Swallowing is a complex action involving over 30 muscles and nerves working in perfect sequence. In space, this process may become more complicated. Microgravity can cause nasal congestion and changes in pressure around the mouth and throat, which can make swallowing more difficult. Reduced food intake and weight loss could also compromise nutrition, muscle maintenance, immunity, and performance during long missions. Scientists are exploring how technologies such as 3D food printing could tailor food textures to help astronauts with swallowing difficulties eat more safely and comfortably.",
  "summary": "Astronauts on the International Space Station experience changes in their bodies due to spaceflight, including muscle shrinkage, bone density loss, and fluid shifts towards the head. This can cause puffy faces, stuffy noses, and a feeling similar to a lingering cold.\n\nAccording to The Conversation, these physical changes can affect everyday functions like swallowing, eating, and drinking. The Conversation reports that swallowing is a complex process that requires over 30 muscles and several nerves to work in sequence, and it may become more complicated in microgravity.\n\nPhys.org and The Conversation both describe the experience of swallowing in space as similar to trying to swallow with a congested face, dulled sense of taste, and while floating 250 miles above Earth.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Conversation",
        "title": "Spaceflight could change how astronauts swallow, eat and drink in subtle ways",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/03/spaceflight-could-change-how-astronauts-swallow-eat-and-drink-in",
        "published": "2026-08-03T12:29:42.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}