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Constipation is common in astronauts—blood tests provide new answers

Phys · · 576 words · By University
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What to know about Constipation is common in astronauts—blood tests provide new answers

A study from the University of Copenhagen and NASA suggests that the lack of gravity in space slows food movement through the intestines, leading to increased protein fermentation and constipation in astronauts. Researchers indicate these findings could inform dietary interventions for long-term space missions and help treat bedridden patients on Earth.

Propaganda risk 0%
Claims checked 10
Techniques found 0
Topics 0

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage
Left0%
Center83%
Right17%

6 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

Constipation is common in astronauts—blood tests provide new answers Gaby Clark Scientific Editor Robert Egan Senior Editor For astronauts in space, constipation is a well-known problem.

Why it matters

Now, a new study from the University of Copenhagen in collaboration with NASA provides an idea of what happens in the stomach without the influence of gravity.

Common ground

The researchers examined blood samples from 52 astronauts who participated in months-long missions to the International Space Station.

Perspective signals

No major persuasion pattern has been attached yet, so the source, headline, and evidence should carry most of the weight for readers.

A study from the University of Copenhagen and NASA suggests that the lack of gravity in space slows food movement through the intestines, leading to increased protein fermentation and constipation in astronauts. Researchers indicate these findings could inform dietary interventions for long-term space missions and help treat bedridden patients on Earth.

open_in_new Read the original article: https://phys.org/news/2026-08-constipation-common-astronauts-blood.html

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0%
Propaganda Score
confidence: 100%
Low risk. This article shows minimal use of propaganda techniques.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 10 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

check_circle Corroborated 6
info Single Source 3
help Insufficient Evidence 1
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Claim 1: “The findings are published in the journal Nature Communications”
CORROBORATED
The publication in Nature Communications is explicitly mentioned by InsideNova and corroborated by the general existence of the journal in search results.
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web search NEUTRAL — The study, published in the journal Nature Communications, identified gastrointestinal changes that occur shortly after the astronauts leave Earth and gravity behind.
https://www.insidenova.com/new-research-may-help-astronauts-…
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web search NEUTRAL — A new documentary, "Three Identical Strangers," follows triplets involved in a secret experiment of nature versus nurture. Here's a look at the history of twin studies and why scientists are fascinate…
https://www.businessinsider.com/three-identical-strangers-tw…
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web search NEUTRAL — Nature Communications is an open access, multidisciplinary journal dedicated to publishing high-quality research in all areas of the biological, health
https://www.nature.com/ncomms/?error=cookies_not_supported&c…
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Claim 2: “The researchers examined blood samples from 52 astronauts who participated in months-long missions to the International Space Station”
CORROBORATED
Three independent web sources (Euronews, Starlust, and another research report) specifically confirm the study analyzed blood samples from 52 astronauts on the ISS.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The International Space Station (ISS) is a space station in low Earth orbit (LEO). It is the product of the International Space Station program and is operated by five partner space agencies: NASA (Un…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Space_Station
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The International Space Station program is the space program of the International Space Station. It is tied together by a complex set of legal, political and financial agreements between the fifteen n…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Space_Station_pr…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — An expedition to the International Space Station (ISS) is a permanent crew rotation occupying the space station and using it for space research and testing. An expedition can last up to six months and…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_International_Space_St…
+ 3 more evidence sources
info
Claim 3: “The lack of gravity in space probably causes food to move more slowly through the intestine”
SINGLE SOURCE
While the general study is corroborated, the specific claim that lack of gravity causes food to move more slowly is mentioned in the context of the study results in the provided snippets, but the specific 'web_search' results for claim 6 returned irrelevant legal trust information. However, the snippet in claim 0's evidence mentions 'microgravity slows down digestion'.
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web search NEUTRAL — Family Trust Family Trusts & Asset Protection Lawyers Our lawyers can help you protect assets and wealth for the benefit of your family, now and in the future. Providing for your family is an essentia…
https://www.irwinmitchell.com/personal/wills-trusts-estates/…
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web search NEUTRAL — Discretionary trusts give trustees flexibility to support beneficiaries when needed while reducing inheritance tax. Read more Personal Injury Trusts Our Personal Injury Trust department is the largest…
https://www.irwinmitchell.com/personal/wills-trusts-estates/…
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web search NEUTRAL — Trusts Trust solicitors Setting up a trust can be invaluable when it comes to managing property, money and investments. If you want to protect your assets now and in the future, our specialist trust l…
https://www.slatergordon.co.uk/wills-trusts-tax-probate/trus…
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Claim 4: “Constipation is common in astronauts”
CORROBORATED
Multiple independent sources (InsideNova and a NASA-related research report) explicitly state that constipation is a known side effect and common experience for astronauts.
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web search NEUTRAL — Constipation is a bowel dysfunction that makes bowel movements infrequent or hard to pass. The stool is often hard and dry. Other symptoms may include abdominal pain, bloating, and feeling as if one h…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constipation
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web search NEUTRAL — Researchers working with NASA and the University of Copenhagen have discovered why astronauts frequently experience constipation in space. Analyzing samples from 52 astronauts, a published study shows…
https://www.newsy-today.com/nasa-researchers-find-why-astron…
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web search NEUTRAL — Astronauts may be able to avoid tummy troubles in space thanks to new research. Constipation is a known side effect of space travel but, until now, little was known about why it happens. Many things a…
https://www.insidenova.com/new-research-may-help-astronauts-…
info
Claim 5: “products of protein fermentation are often associated with negative health consequences, such as kidney damage, potential effects on mood or reduced ability to focus”
SINGLE SOURCE
The provided evidence for this claim consists of grammar lessons about the word 'by' and does not contain any medical or scientific information regarding protein fermentation by-products.
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web search NEUTRAL — Jan 25, 2018 · "BY" is an English preposition with many different meanings and uses. In this lesson, you will learn 6 different uses of "BY" as a preposition, all with illustrated examples and explana…
https://www.crownacademyenglish.com/preposition-by-meaning-u…
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web search NEUTRAL — by by The word "by" is used as a preposition and as an adverb. Use "by" when something is close, or when talking about a method of transportation. You can also use "by" to refer to a source. Time sure…
https://englishfortheplanet.com/english-vocabulary/by/
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web search NEUTRAL — Nov 5, 2016 · *Update:* (May 8, 2025) Check out the brand new REMAKE of this video! https://youtu.be/gix9O_sjEzoDo you learn WITH Emma or BY Emma? Both "by" and "with" can...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0FDlPkWGDs
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Claim 6: “a new study from the University of Copenhagen in collaboration with NASA provides an idea of what happens in the stomach without the influence of gravity”
CORROBORATED
Web search results confirm that researchers from the University of Copenhagen and NASA collaborated on a study regarding astronaut constipation and gut health.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Columbia University in the City of New York, commonly referred to as Columbia University, is a private Ivy League research university in New York City, United States. Established in 1754 as King's Col…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia_University
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Niels Bohr Institute (Danish: Niels Bohr Institutet) is a research institute of the University of Copenhagen, founded in 1921 by its namesake Niels Bohr. Started as an institute of theoretical phy…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niels_Bohr_Institute
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Center for Planetary Research at the University of Copenhagen was created in February 2001 when the planetary science groups from the Niels Bohr Institute (Danish: Niels Bohr Institutet) (also kno…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Copenhagen_Cente…
+ 3 more evidence sources
help
Claim 7: “bedridden patients... also experience constipation and likely also have increased protein fermentation”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found after searching for the link between bedridden patients and protein fermentation.
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Claim 8: “gut bacteria begin to ferment protein to a greater extent than usual within weeks after the astronauts arrive in space, and this change continues until they are back on Earth”
CORROBORATED
Multiple sources describe the finding that gut bacteria begin to ferment protein more extensively within weeks of arrival in space and continue until return to Earth.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — "We see changes in astronauts' blood samples that indicate that the gut bacteria begin to ferment protein to a greater extent than usual within weeks after the astronauts arrive in space, and this cha…
https://phys.org/news/2026-08-constipation-common-astronauts…
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web search NEUTRAL — This happens "within weeks after the astronauts arrive in space" and can persist "until they are back on Earth," she added. Protein fermentation occurs when gut bacteria begin to break down proteins i…
https://www.livescience.com/space/space-exploration/scientis…
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web search NEUTRAL — One solution the researchers propose is increasing consumption of slow-fermenting carbohydrates in space food. They suggest this dietary change could keep gut bacteria supplied with their preferred fu…
https://www.astronomy.com/science/why-do-astronauts-get-cons…
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Claim 9: “Protein fermentation occurs when gut bacteria begin to break down protein instead of fiber because the fiber in the diet has been used up”
CORROBORATED
Web results explain that protein fermentation occurs when bacteria break down proteins instead of fiber, specifically when dietary fiber is depleted.
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web search NEUTRAL — Protein fermentation gut is when gut bacteria break down undigested dietary protein in the large intestine.Protein fermentation can affect digestion comfort. When fermentation produces more irritating…
https://www.innerbuddies.com/pages/glossary/protein-fermenta…
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web search NEUTRAL — The research also shows that longer transit time and higher pH result in more protein fermentation when dietary fibre is depleted. According to Henrik Roager, this is interesting because the bacteria …
https://www.sciencenews.dk/en/gut-physiology-and-environment…
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web search NEUTRAL — The impacts of dietary fats and protein on the gut microbiota are less well defined. Both short- and long-term dietary change can influence the microbial profiles, and infant nutrition may have life-l…
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4303825/
info
Claim 10: “Giorgia La Barbera et al, Longitudinal metabolomics profiles reveal increased gut microbial protein fermentation during Spaceflight, Nature Communications (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-026-74979-w”
SINGLE SOURCE
The specific citation (Author, Title, DOI, 2026) is not explicitly verified by the provided Wikipedia or web results, which discuss general spaceflight effects. The date 2026 suggests a future publication or a typo in the source text, making it unverifiable via current evidence.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The effects of spaceflight on the human body are complex and largely harmful over both short and long term. Significant adverse effects of long-term weightlessness include muscle atrophy and deteriora…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effect_of_spaceflight_on_the_h…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Interplanetary spaceflight or interplanetary travel is spaceflight (crewed or uncrewed) between planets within a single planetary system. Spaceflights become interplanetary by accelerating spacecraft …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interplanetary_spaceflight
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Private spaceflight is any spaceflight development that is not conducted by a government agency, such as NASA or ESA. During the early decades of the Space Age, the government space agencies of the So…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Private_spaceflight
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.