Many issues change in house, together with how the intestines operate. Constipation is a recognized aspect impact of house journey, however till now, little has been recognized about why it occurs.
Constipation is a well-recognized downside for astronauts, however the organic cause it develops throughout spaceflight has remained unsure.
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen working with NASA have now discovered proof of what might change within the digestive system when gravity disappears. They analyzed blood samples from 52 astronauts who spent months aboard the Worldwide Area Station and detected gastrointestinal modifications that appeared inside weeks of leaving Earth.
“We see modifications in astronauts’ blood samples that point out that the intestine micro organism start to ferment protein to a better extent than regular inside weeks after the astronauts arrive in house, and this variation continues till they’re again on Earth,” says joint first creator and affiliate professor on the Division of Diet, Train and Sports activities, Giorgia La Barbera.
Slower digestion might shift intestine metabolism
Protein fermentation happens when micro organism within the intestine start breaking down protein relatively than fiber after dietary fiber has been depleted. The method will not be distinctive to spaceflight and in addition happens in many individuals on Earth.
“The shortage of gravity in house most likely causes meals to maneuver extra slowly by the gut, and this matches with the truth that we’re seeing indicators of elevated protein fermentation. This will likely additionally assist clarify constipation in astronauts,” says co-author of the article Henrik Roager, who can also be an affiliate professor on the Division of Diet, Train and Sports activities.
Intestine modifications might have an effect on greater than digestion
The discovering emerged from an investigation of metabolites in astronauts’ blood. These small molecules circulating by the bloodstream present clues about how the physique’s metabolism is functioning and might replicate elements akin to food regimen and intestinal exercise.
That issues as a result of modifications contained in the intestine might have results past digestion, doubtlessly influencing different elements of the physique, together with the mind.
“We all know that merchandise of protein fermentation are sometimes related to detrimental well being penalties, akin to kidney harm, potential results on temper or diminished means to focus, amongst others,” says Lars Ove Dragsted, senior creator of the research and professor on the Division of Diet, Train and Sports activities.
Longer missions might have intestine countermeasures
As house companies put together for longer crewed missions to the Moon and locations farther away, the researchers say understanding these intestinal modifications may turn out to be more and more vital.
“After we plan for longer journeys in house – for instance to Mars countermeasures could also be wanted to mitigate detrimental results of house journey on the intestines,” says Giorgia La Barbera.
“Our findings can inform potential interventions – both immediately by rising dietary fiber, supplementation with prebiotics or different sorts of remedies that promote peristalsis and reduce intestine transit time. This is able to assist cut back protein fermentation and thus present a wholesome intestine surroundings and keep away from detrimental well being penalties,” provides Henrik Roager.
Bedridden sufferers might face comparable results
The attainable implications usually are not restricted to astronauts. The researchers counsel the findings may additionally be related to folks on Earth whose motion is severely restricted.
“You should utilize this information to assist bedridden sufferers. Additionally they expertise constipation and certain even have elevated protein fermentation which will worsen well being circumstances,” concludes Lars Ove Dragsted, senior creator of the paper.
Reference: “Longitudinal metabolomics profiles reveal elevated intestine microbial protein fermentation throughout Spaceflight” by Giorgia La Barbera, Jan Stanstrup, Sara R. Zwart, Scott M. Smith, Henrik M. Roager and Lars Ove Dragsted, 29 June 2026, Nature Communications.
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-026-74979-w
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