Chandigarh: What happens to the human body when it leaves the Earth’s atmosphere? Beyond physical adaptation, researchers point out that nutrition and gut microbiota play a transformative role in space health.Aligned with India’s ambitious human spaceflight objectives, including the Gaganyaan mission, a unique research collaboration involving PGI, ISRO, CFTRI (Central Food Technological Research Institute), Mysore, and IIT Ropar has been launched to study the impact of space conditions on nutrition, gut microbiota and overall human health.The Gaganyaan mission is India’s first human spaceflight programme by ISRO. The maiden crewed flight is expected in 2027.Elaborating on the upcoming project, a senior PGI expert said the initiative revolves around a specialised simulation lab designed to mimic space conditions and study metabolic and microbial changes. The research will explore how specific foods alter gut microbiota in animal studies initially. The goal is to optimise diets and health interventions for space missions such as Gaganyaan. Food developed on the basis of the findings will be provided to astronauts.As part of the ISRO-funded project, researchers will use ground-based simulation facilities to examine how microgravity and the space environment affect human subjects, focusing particularly on acid-base homeostasis — the critical balance the body requires for normal physiological functioning.“A major pillar of the study involves exploring how specific foods and dietary interventions alter gut microbiota. Because gut microbes play a major role in metabolic and endocrine disorders like obesity, diabetes and osteoporosis, understanding these microbial shifts under simulated space conditions will help scientists develop targeted dietary replacements and countermeasures,” said Prof S K Bhadada, co-principal investigator from PGI.Through this research, scientists hope to gain insights into organ health and develop targeted dietary replacements or interventions.While Dr Poonam Khanna from PGI’s department of community medicine will work on nutrition, Prof Bhadada’s work will focus on bone health during space missions. “The project started this April, and we will soon establish a simulation lab at PGI for this,” said Rahul Saini, project scientist.The team is also organising an interactive webinar on Oct 12 to build awareness and engage the community. Participants will receive certificates. The upcoming session will feature a discussion with ISRO astronaut Group Capt Angad Pratap. Organisers emphasise that participants do not need to be space travellers, as studies involving the broader population will help validate findings and potentially pave the way for national-level research as results emerge.BOX 1 | Why study gut health in space?–Space conditions can affect the body’s metabolism and physiological functioning— Gut microbiota — the community of microorganisms living in the digestive tract — plays a role in digestion, metabolism and immune function–Studying changes in gut microbes may help researchers understand how space travel affects overall health–The findings could help develop dietary strategies to support astronauts during space missionsBOX 3 | How will the research help Gaganyaan?–The project will investigate how specific foods and dietary interventions affect gut microbiota–Initial studies will examine these effects in animals under simulated space conditions–Researchers aim to use the findings to develop appropriate food and nutrition strategies for astronauts–The long-term objective is to support astronaut health during human spaceflight missions, including Gaganyaan
