Food aroma study investigates why food tastes bland in space
Dr. Julia Low of the School of Science stated that scents of almond and vanilla were stronger in the ISS-simulated atmosphere, as reported by phys.org.
On Tuesday, July 16th, 2024, scientists from RMIT University published a study titled ‘Smell perception in virtual spacecraft? A ground-based approach to sensory and chemical data collection’ in the International Journal of Food Science and Technology, first of its own on common food aromas helped us understand why astronauts find meals in space to be bland and struggle to eat their normal nutritional intake.
By customizing scents to improve the flavor of their food, this research—which is published in the International Journal of Food Science and Technology—may have wider ramifications for enhancing the diets of isolated individuals, such as residents of nursing homes. Previous studies have demonstrated that a food’s scent greatly influences its flavor.
“Previous astronauts or space travelers have reported that food doesn’t taste the same in space as it does on Earth,” first author Grace Loke, a PhD candidate at RMIT, told COSMOS.
“Imagine having your meals pre-planned months ahead because they tasted good on Earth, only to dislike them in space. Usually, flavor is lost,” Loke added.
The goal of this research is to determine what modifications may be made to help solitary individuals eat better. The discovery might benefit not just astronauts but also residents of nursing homes by customizing scents to improve the flavor of their food.
Researchers looked at participants’ perceptions of almond and vanilla extracts for the study. They also investigated the ways in which the environment on Earth and the International Space Station (ISS) differed while using lemon essential oil. Lead researcher Dr. Julia Low of the School of Science stated that scents of almond and vanilla were stronger in the ISS-simulated atmosphere, as reported by phys.org. The smell of lemon, meantime, did not change.
“A greater sense of loneliness and isolation may also play a role, and there are implications from this study around how isolated people smell and taste food,” Low said.
In addition to an individual’s sensitivity to the specific fragrance, the scientists discovered that benzaldehyde, a particular sweet molecule prevalent in the scents of almond and vanilla, might account for the shift in perception. The study involved a sample size as it included 54 adults. “One of the long-term aims of the research is to make better-tailored foods for astronauts, as well as other people who are in isolated environments, to increase their nutritional intake closer to 100%,” Low said.
Food Aroma in Space: How Scents of Almond and Vanilla Change in Different Environments
“Astronauts are still not enjoying their food even after fluid shift effects have gone, suggesting that there’s something more to this,” Low said. Along with complementing findings from prior studies based on eating experiences in space, the researchers also investigated the phenomena of fluid transfer.
According to the study, when a person is weightless, fluid travels from the lower to the higher parts of the body, resulting in facial edema and nasal congestion. Taste and scent are ultimately affected by this. However, in the majority of instances, these symptoms disappear a few weeks after boarding the space station. This study is noteworthy for having a sizable sample size of 54 adults, which allows for the recording of the diversity in people’s individual experiences with tastes and scents in solitary environments.
Associate Professor Gail Iles, a former astronaut teacher and co-researcher at RMIT, stated that astronauts were not fulfilling their nutritional demands despite well-planned food programs, which was risky for extended missions.
“What we’re going to see in the future with the Artemis missions are much longer missions, years in length, particularly when we go to Mars, so we really need to understand the problems with diet and food and how crew interact with their food,” said Iles, from the School of Science.
“The incredible thing with this VR study is that it really does go a very long way to simulating the experience of being on the space station. And it really does change how you smell things and how you taste things.”
According to Low, the study may not just affect space travelers but also those who live in socially isolated circumstances on Earth.“The results of this study could help personalize people’s diets in socially isolated situations, including in nursing homes, and improve their nutritional intake,” Low said.
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