Food continues to be one of mankind’s problems when it comes to long-term space travel, such as Mars, where astronauts must follow a diet based on healthy foods that stimulate appetite – unfortunately, the taste and options are not the same. The current stage of spatial development. for this reason, A chef decided to take part in a project that aims to provide a gastronomic experience for space crews.
Chef Bob Perry, based at the University of Kentucky in the UK, has partnered with the group Humanity in Deep Space, in order to find solutions for feeding astronauts. A scientific field has been created to explore the intricacies of space food, called neuroscience..
According to Perry, the experience and taste of food plays an important role in ensuring that astronauts consume enough food to meet their nutritional needs. While improving the study for astronauts, Perry also believes lessons learned from this field could shape the future of food on Earth.
“If you go back through history, you will find a table where people gather to eat in all societies. Zero-gravity cooking tools and applications have become essential tools for space travelers, allowing them to tackle challenges and prepare meals in a microgravity environment. Astronauts must also connect from during food, even in these unusual circumstances,” Berry said.
These days, astronauts eat a lot more freeze-dried foods and fresh fruits, which last longer; Freeze drying is a drying technique.source: Getty Images
Neuroscience is a term coined by Yale neuroscientist Gordon Shepherd in 2006. This field seeks to study the relationship between the brain and food, trying to understand how neuroscience, psychology, and the culinary arts help shape our perception of food. .
Gastronomy in space
According to Perry, One of the most important challenges is creating foods that balance nutrition with the pleasure of eating. Incidentally, the chef is also interested in creating new food preservation and fermentation technologies, enabling healthy and delicious foods that can last for several years.
Another problem is that the microgravity environment affects the microbiome and digestive processes in humans, causing poor gut health. By better understanding the causes and effects of this process, it will be possible to develop diets to enhance the well-being of astronauts.
“The 300 million mile journey to Mars takes about seven months each way. That’s up to three years away from Earth, with widespread uncertainty about how to maintain the physical and mental health of the crew. Understanding the connection between the brain and the gut and brain,” said Chris Kimmel, co-founder. For humanity in deep space, the effects of long-term spaceflight is crucial.
NASA and the Canadian Space Agency also announced the Deep Space Food Challenge, a project open to experts around the world. a The goal is to spur the development of technologies that can aid in the routine feeding of astronauts on long-duration flights.
