Why Is Spirulina An Astronaut Food? Explore The Surprising Facts And Health Benefits!

Spirulina is a kind of cyanobacteria that has become the most critical food source for astronauts because of its high nutritional value and ability to grow in space conditions. Spirulina blue-green algae used to be eaten in countries like South America and Africa. It is high in protein, vitamins, and minerals and perfect for space travel on long missions. The belief in spirulina was established by NASA studies in the 1970s, in which scientists discovered that spirulina could increase resistance and help to remove broken cells, toxins, and metabolic waste that astronauts face during space trips, such as bone sclerosis and reduced immunity.

In the advanced technologies available today, spirulina has been incorporated into the ISS space food, such as the muesli bars. Such innovations are some of the pursuits by companies like the European Space Agency (ESA) to develop a steady source of food for future interplanetary missions, if any, such as those to the moon or Mars. Spirulina is also endowed with the culture’s fast growth rate and CO2 to O2 conversion, significantly benefiting the closed life support system to feed astronauts.

Read along to learn about the nutritional value of spirulina astronaut food, why it is used as space food, and its benefits for astronauts who stay in space stations. 

Table Of Contents

1. Is Spirulina Used As Space Food? Why Do Astronauts Eat Spirulina?

2. Benefits Of Spirulina Astronaut Food

3. Nutritional Profile Of Spirulina

4. Dietitian’s Recommendation

5. The Final Say

6. FAQs

7. References

Is Spirulina Used As Space Food? Why Do Astronauts Eat Spirulina?

Yes, spirulina is being used as a space food. This bluish-green algae is known for its rich composition in proteins, essential amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. According to the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations), the idea of using spirulina as space food is based on its being rich in nutrients, easy to grow, and resilient. 

Have you ever wondered what astronauts eat? Initially, their food differed from ours, but nowadays, they also have the same food, like frozen vegetables, desserts, refrigerated food, fruit, herbs and dairy products. Spirulina supplements are one of them. Spirulina is often called the “food of the future” because it’s packed with nutrients and boasts a remarkable profile. This blue-green micro-algae floats freely in water and comprises cylindrical cells arranged in a spiral shape. Spirulina stands out for its remarkable nutritional content; it contains over 60% protein and all of the key amino acids, making it a complete protein source.

Here is a breakdown of why it is considered so suitable for space missions: 

1. Efficient Growth

Spirulina is a fast-growing and adaptable organism that can be cultivated in various ways and on different types of substrates as long as the nutrients are properly managed. Because it requires minimal space, spirulina is an ideal choice for growth on spacecraft or space stations. Its efficient growth makes it a valuable resource in these limited environments.

2. Sustainability

Microalgae is a fast-reproducing biomass producer, which implies that it can produce a great deal of nutrient-packed material using limited resources. This makes producing food in space favourable since resources are scarce and must be utilised to the maximum.

3. Space Adaptability

Regarding space agriculture, the feature supporting spirulina’s growth system is that it can be cultivated in relatively enclosed systems such as those in a space station. Its growth does not require a lot of light, and it can be grown under hydroponic conditions where the water and the nutrients are recycled. This is important if a man travels into space for long periods of time.

4. Palatability And Easy-To-Eat

Spirulina supplements can be made available in any form, such as powder, palate, tablet, or flakes, hence being easy to take to space and eat. Astronauts generally experience loss of appetite during long-term stays in space stations, so spirulina supplements, especially in tablet form, can be beneficial and easy to eat. 

Also Read: Blue Vs Green Spiriluna: 5 Differences For The Healthiest Choice! 

Benefits Of Spirulina Astronaut Food

Historically, the Aztecs enjoyed spirulina, but it caught the world's attention when NASA suggested it could be cultivated in space to support astronauts. Its potential to thrive in such extreme conditions underscores its resilience and benefits. With its nutrient density and versatility, spirulina might be one of the most nutrient-rich foods.

The following attributes prove spirulina is the best food for astronauts:

1. Immune System Support

While conducting its experimental trials in the 1970s, NASA discovered that spirulina 

contains essential nutrients and vitamins to strengthen the immune system and could help strengthen astronauts' immune systems, which can weaken the stresses of space travel. It also contains all the essential amino acids and is a rich source of protein, making it an ideal food for astronauts on long space missions. 

Spirulina's high iron and folic acid content helps maintain healthy blood and immune function. It is 60 times more absorbable than regular iron supplements. The antioxidants and nutrients in spirulina enhance the production and functionality of immune organs and cells, ensuring the astronauts’ immunities are strong enough to fight diseases and infections.

2. Detoxification

Spirulina has been proven to help eliminate toxins from the body, an essential factor in space, where astronauts are likely to encounter chemicals and radiation. Its cell wall formation and high chlorophyll production assist in the binding and expelling of heavy metals and other undesirable materials.

3. Bone And Muscle Health

One can lose substantial bone density and muscle mass when in space since the body is not subjected to gravity. Spirulina contains proteins and is a rich source of essential nutrients like calcium, magnesium, and vitamin K that are beneficial for bone health; it is also helpful in the muscle-rebuilding process.

Thus, consuming spirulina during space flights and experiments will eliminate the adverse effects of space conditions on the organism and enhance the overall physical and intellectual productivity of astronauts. Spirulina is suitable for space missions because it is small, has a long shelf life, and can fit well into other food items.

Also Read: Grab Up These 8 Best Foods For Bone Health And Muscle Development

Nutritional Profile Of Spirulina

The nutritional value of spirulina is:

Spirulina is rich in essential nutrients, including:

1. Proteins

Spirulina is rich in complete protein, holding all the essential amino acids requisite in muscle build-up and repair. Furthermore, the specific protein found in spirulina contains 18 of the 22 amino acids required by the body, and it is a highly digestible food.

2. Vitamins

It is loaded with vitamins A, C, E, and B complex, which are essential for energy, healthy skin, and the fight against infections. A rich source of beta-carotene, which assists with vision improvement, is spirulina. 

3. Minerals

Spirulina also contains potassium, calcium, magnesium, and iron. These are essential for bone formation, blood oxygenation, and nerve conduction. Also, spirulina's rich content of natural iron and folic acid helps not only to largely enhance haemoglobin levels in the blood but is sixty times more absorbable than normal iron capsules.

4. Antioxidants

Spirulina is proven to have antioxidant compounds such as phycocyanin and beta-carotene that inhibit the effects of free radicals.

Also Read: Spirulina Nutrition Facts Per 100g Benefits & Uses | ToneOpCare 

Dietitian's Recommendation

As a dietitian, I suggest that some foods, such as spirulina, should be part of astronauts’ diets because of their nutrients. Spirulina draws a lot of nutrients and has a high protein level, including all the essential amino acids, especially in the context of this study where there is low gravity, thus the need to retain muscle mass. It is also a source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that boost immunity and general body health.

The point is that due to space constraints and resources, spirulina’s characteristic of efficient farming with controlled conditions makes it a perfect food product. If you want to experience these benefits of spirulina, you can try ToneOp Care’s spirulina powder.

                                                                                  Dt. Aditi Upadhyay

The Final Say

Spirulina is one of the most suitable choices if we consider the idea of feeding astronauts, not to mention that the food has numerous qualities. It is actually the food enriched with protein, which includes all the body's amino acid requirements and is a storehouse of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. 

Even more extraordinary about spirulina is that it grows with such great ease, which essentially translates to efficiency given space limitations in a spaceship. Due to its nature of growing well in controlled conditions, it is possible to grow it in large sustainable greenhouses, hence a constant supply of food in space for long-term missions. The farther humanity moves beyond Earth, the more spirulina provides a viable means for maintaining astronauts’ health and providing them with adequate nutrition on space missions.

FAQs

1. Is spirulina approved by NASA?

Yes, NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Association) includes spirulina in their astronauts' diets during space missions to the moon and Mars.

2. What is spirulina NASA food?

The blue-green algae spirulina, or Arthrospira, became famous when NASA successfully used it as a nutritional supplement for astronauts on space missions. It can regulate immunological responses and demonstrates anti-inflammatory qualities by preventing mast cells from releasing histamine.

3. What is the superfood for astronauts?

Astronauts consume wine tablets, lab-grown meat, and microalgae. As research advances, the astronauts' space menu starts to take shape. They would definitely consume microalgae since they are high in proteins and have antioxidants that help 'fight off' ionising radiation.

References

• Spirulina in Clinical Practice: Evidence-Based Human Applications - PMC (nih.gov)
• Spirulina: the food supplement already used by NASA astronauts (zenement.com)
• Wide Range Applications of Spirulina: From Earth to Space Missions - PMC (nih.gov)
• Spirulina In Space - Interactive Installation - Sugar and Space
• Characterization of Spirulina biomass for CELSS diet potential - NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
• Why NASA Supports Spirulina As Space Food? - Dr. Sonica Krishan (drsonicakrishan.com)

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