During the first flight of a person in space, it was important to check whether a person could eat in conditions of weightlessness, said certified nutritionist Irina Popkova. In an interview with Gazeta.Ru, she revealed what products Yuri Gagarin's menu on board the spacecraft consisted of.
Popkova noted that creating a menu for astronauts is a complex process requiring the participation of a wide range of specialists. According to her, food should meet several requirements at the same time: be balanced, have a high calorie content, be compact in size and light.
During his first meal in space, Yuri Gagarin ate meat and chocolate, the nutritionist said. She explained that chocolate was chosen because of its unique properties: it is rich in phosphorus, magnesium, iron and zinc, as well as vitamins A and B. In addition, this product stimulates the production of serotonin — a hormone that improves mood.
Popkova listed red meat as the second ingredient in Gagarin's diet in space. This product, she says, is a source of protein and essential amino acids. Meat is also rich in iron and helps to better digest other foods, adds the specialist.
Earlier it was reported that Samara scientists are working on creating a robot chef to prepare food in space. The scientific leader of the project, Sergey Borminsky, noted that the invention will allow to diversify the astronauts' menu and make their diet more individual.