Soylent Green: Why it Might Not Work
“Plankton” wafers, bodily autonomy, and the Ick Factor: Moral hang-ups of the infamous Soylent Green.
William Banting’s OG Low Carb Diet: A Nutrient Analysis
In 1863, William Banting’s “Letter on Corpulence” popularized a low carb diet in Victorian England. Considered by some to be the OG keto, Banting’s diet centered meats and alcoholic indulgences. A nutrient analysis shows how his daily intake might have ranked compared to modern “low carb” diets.
Vitamin D’s Space Travel Class Upgrade
How Vitamin D, the “sunshine vitamin,” becomes essential in space.
Aldosterone in Space
Learn about the steroid hormone aldosterone and its role in regulation of fluids and electrolytes, along with how its levels might increase on space missions.
Enhancing Food’s Freshness with Sound Amplification
Regarding space fare, astronauts frequently complain that “the food …lacks a certain crunch,” and consequently seems less fresh. What if there were simple ways to enhance the perceived freshness of foods, increasing enjoyment? “Freshness,” as it turns out, is correlated with enhanced sound, even in non-perishable foods.
What’s the Deal with Astronauts and Shrimp Cocktail?
Shrimp cocktail has been a staple of NASA menus since the Gemini missions and remains a favorite on the ISS. Why is this retro-fancy appetizer so popular among astronauts?
5 Reasons Food Tastes Different on the ISS
How fluid shifts, spacey smells, and ambient noises affect the tastes of foods on the ISS.
Leptin in Space
Find out how leptin, a hormone that controls hunger and satiety cues, behaves differently in space.
Menu Fatigue in Space: Solutions
Part 3 of the Menu Fatigue series: Lessons from HI-SEAS 1, Skylab, and the ISS for addressing the problem of Sensory Specific Satiety on longer missions.
Menu Fatigue in Space: Satiated Astronauts
Part 2 of the Menu Fatigue series: exploring the established problem of underconsumption and diminished energy intake on previous space missions.