Resveratrol May Become The Most Effective "space Supplement" in The Future

Mars is currently considered to be the most suitable planet for human survival in the solar system except for the earth. It is conceivable that if humans can really emigrate to Mars one day, then one of the urgent problems to be solved is how to stay healthy in a low-gravity environment. Because Mars’ surface gravity is only 40% of Earth’s. A Harvard research experiment showed that red wine containing resveratrol may be able to help Martian explorers. This experiment simulates the surface gravity in the Martian environment, and the experimenters can help the rats maintain the muscle mass and strength under the gravity environment of Mars by adding resveratrol.

Resveratrol is an important functional ingredient in red wine, with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-diabetic effects. According to experimental studies, resveratrol can protect rats in microgravity environment similar to space travel Bone and muscle mass. Under the gravity environment of Mars, daily supplementation of an appropriate amount of resveratrol can also reduce the degree of muscle degeneration in rats.

The results of this study were published in the journal Physiology Frontiers.

At the beginning of the experiment, the researchers placed 24 male rats in simulated earth gravity environment and Mars gravity environment. During two weeks, in addition to normal feeding, half of each group of rats will be supplemented with quinoa every day. The other half of the water is fed with clear water. The researchers measured the calf circumference of the rats and the grip strength of the front and rear paws every week, and analyzed the condition of their calf muscles after the experiment. The experimental results show that under Mars gravity, the calf circumference, muscle weight and slow muscle fiber content of rats supplemented with clean water are reduced to a certain extent, while the rats taking resveratrol supplements are not affected Obviously, the strength of its limb muscles is almost the same as that of rats without resveratrol supplementation in the earth's gravity environment.

The researchers believe that the protective effect of resveratrol on muscles may be related to insulin sensitivity. Low gravity reduces insulin sensitivity in rats, while resveratrol can promote muscle growth by increasing insulin sensitivity and glucose intake in muscle fibers. In addition, the anti-inflammatory effect of resveratrol also helps protect muscles and bones.

The researchers suggest that to allow astronauts to perform Mars missions better, they must prevent their muscles from deteriorating under Martian gravity. Restricted by conditions, astronauts cannot use exercise equipment for exercise as in the space station, resveratrol may become the most effective "space supplement" for astronauts.