Weird Yogurt Experiment Could Help Astronauts in Colonizing Mars - How?

A recent study titled "Can Bulgarian Yogurt enhance astronauts' performance during the Mars Missions?" delves into the intriguing possibility of incorporating yogurt into the diets of astronauts during space travel, especially with an eye toward future missions to Mars, as reported first by The Sun.

But how can a simple yogurt help astronauts in such a daunting and ambitious mission to colonize the Red Planet?

Yogurt to Mars?

The study explores whether the dietary challenges astronauts face, such as limited and fresh food options, could be addressed by introducing Bulgarian yogurt into their daily consumption.

Conducted in a simulated Mars-like environment at the Mars Desert Research Station in Utah, the yogurt experiment involved participants in a two-week analog mission.

The aim was to assess the practicality and potential benefits of regularly producing and consuming gut-beneficial foods, such as yogurt, in space travel scenarios.

The researchers found that, in addition to the recognized health effects of yogurt, the analog astronauts reported that it was easy to prepare and positively impacted their overall well-being and gut health.

The study, while not primarily focused on changes in flatulence frequency and gut microbiome diversity, acknowledged these aspects and suggested that further exploration in future studies could provide valuable insights.

The study emphasizes the importance of maintaining a healthy gut microbiome for astronauts, especially in space missions' challenging and confined environments.

Probiotics from yogurt, known for their immune system-stimulating and digestive system-regulating properties, play a crucial role in promoting gut health.

Bulgarian Yogurt

The specific focus on Bulgarian yogurt, made with Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus, stems from its positive effects on gut health.

The researchers explored whether the addition and regular consumption of Bulgarian yogurt could address the dietary limitations and challenges faced by astronauts during extended space travel.

The feasibility of incorporating freshly made yogurt into the astronauts' diet was successfully demonstrated during the analog mission. The study suggests that this approach could significantly contribute to achieving good health and well-being, particularly in the context of colonization efforts on other planets, such as Mars.

Nevertheless, the research recognizes potential hurdles, including a potential rise in the frequency of flatulence, which might prove less than ideal for extended space journeys within confined spacecraft.

The researchers propose that conducting further studies with increased flexibility or in diverse settings could yield additional insights into these aspects.

The yogurt experiment opens up an interesting avenue for considering unconventional yet practical dietary solutions for astronauts during extended space missions. While there are both positive and potentially challenging aspects to explore, the study adds a flavorful twist to discussions about the future of space travel and colonization efforts on Mars.

"Our study demonstrated the feasibility of incorporating freshly made yogurt into the astronauts' diet and its potential to significantly contribute to achieving good health and well-being, which is an important goal in the colonization of other planets, such as Mars," the researchers wrote.

Their findings were published in the Journal of Ethnic Foods.