Is the digestion process affected in space?

Question

Hello!
I was wondering,is the digestion process affected while in space? I hear since there's no gravity and everything floats,then how does food actually go down the astronauts' throats and get digested? Won't get it float back up?

Thank you ;-) I am not very knowledgeable about these issues!

Answer 1

Your digestive system is affect, after initial launch it basically stalls and you do not pass anything for a while.



The body has to make adjustments but normally it resumes regular activity between 24 and 48 hours after launch if I recall the data correctly.

Answer 2

The body uses muscles to push food along, it doesnt rely on gravity. If it did, your digestive system wouldnt work while you were sleeping and something like a handstand would cause everything in your system to literally fall out. When you throw up, its your body using muscles to push it out. Muscles are powered by energy, therefore a lack of gravity has no effect on it. =]

Answer 3

im not positive, but the muscles in you digestive system keep everything on track. you lose alot of bone mass and muscle though. so astronauts have to get lots of calcium and lift weights

Answer 4

the muscles in your throat and intestines etc. push food along, preventing it "floating back up", so whilst it may be slightly affected, no gravity wouldn't really make much difference.

Answer 5

Everything in the human body is affected. From bones to minute tissues.