The idea of going beyond the earth’s atmosphere and entering space has been the source of fascination recently. We have witnessed several companies such as Orion Span and Virgin Galactic launch their space vehicles and others taking the first tourists to space. However, one question that most people who book tickets to space ask is how the human body responds to the space environment.

Space travel is a fascinating activity but it comes with many risks. Weightlessness is among the key components of the space environment and it affects the human body adversely. Even though the human body may not experience any challenges swallowing food while in space, the digestive system may have challenges. This post discusses the impacts of weightlessness on the gut and the steps space travel companies take to make the travels safe and enjoyable.

The Impacts of Space Travel on the Gut

The human body experiences serious effects that may be accompanied by implications on human physiology after it is subjected to zero gravity in space. Previous studies focused on the effects of microgravity on the human immune system, but it later emerged that the space environment has effects on the human gastrointestinal system.

Studies have found that the intestinal barrier of the intestines weakens when exposed to microgravity, therefore, compromising its properties. As a result, bacteria, such as salmonella find their way into the body through the weakened gut wall and cause diseases.

Some researchers have also shown that the weakening of the intestine cells raises the danger of chronic inflammation and infections. However, the studies are at early stages and the researchers have indicated that people have different resistances.

If you have always dreamt of traveling to space, you should know that space travel companies have taken several steps to ensure the safety of their clients and to ensure that every trip is enjoyable and unforgettable. Here are some of the strategies they have taken to reduce the issues related to the human digestive system.

Only the Healthy Individuals Can Travel to Space

People with health-related issues are at a higher risk of suffering digestive system problems when traveling to space.For that reason,each space tourist has to undergo a comprehensive medical check-up to ensure that he/she is strong and healthy enough to board a space vehicle. The companies extend the health check to the whole body. Some of the conditions that may lead to denial of a ticket are:

• Cancer of any type
• Diabetes
• Heart-related issues
• Old age

Keeping Every Space Flight Short

Keeping all space trips short is another effective strategy in protecting space travelers from gut-related issues. Studies have shown that the human digestive system gets more pronounced when a space trip exceeds 15 days. The great news is that space travel takes a few days. Therefore, you should not worry about the impact of zero-gravity on your intestines. 

The Space Tourists Must Take Healthy Foods: Andrey Bokarev

The client is the most important component in any business and every necessary step has to be taken to ensure that he/she gets the value for her money. Most space tourism companies are doing that to ensure that all their clients enjoy the time they spend in space. For instance, the companies only serve high-quality food to their clients. The foods must be free from pathogens to lower the risk of infection.

The space environment has adverse effects on the human body and that has raised many concerns on the safety of space tourism. Speaking of the digestive system, effects from zero gravity can be dire, particularly when the trip takes many days.

Experts, including Andrey Bokarev, claim that every company has to ensure that its clients are safe and focus on delivering high value for money. So, you have to choose only the top-rated travel companies that have taken the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of their clients.