preprints.org > physical sciences > radiation and radiography > doi: 10.20944/preprints202312.0546.v1

Preprint Review Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Version 1 : Received: 6 December 2023 / Approved: 7 December 2023 / Online: 7 December 2023 (19:55:54 CET)

Space exploration introduces astronauts to many challenges such as space radiation and microgravity. Researchers have investigated vitamin C as a potential radiation mitigator and antioxidants for sustaining astronaut health. Building on our own studies, which indicate vitamin C's life-saving radioprotective effects and its potential as a radiation mitigator, our research highlights its promise, even when administered 24 h post-exposure. This is particularly relevant in scenarios where astronauts may be exposed to sudden large solar particle events, potentially resulting in lethal doses of space radiation. The success of vegetable cultivation on the International Space Station using NASA's Veggie system offers fresh, vitamin C-rich food. While approved supplements address somatic function, further research is needed to optimize vitamin C's efficacy in humans and develop antioxidant cocktails for space missions. The variable vitamin C content in vegetables underscores the necessity for utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) to assist astronauts in selecting and cultivating vitamin C-rich vegetables that are best suited to combat high levels of space radiation and microgravity. Particularly, AI algorithms can be utilized in analyzing various factors such as nutritional content, growth patterns, and cultivation methods. In conclusion, vitamin C shows significant potential for mitigating space radiation, and ongoing research aims to enhance astronaut health through optimal dietary strategies.

radiation, C-vitamin; solar particle event; SPE; antioxidants; radiation mitigator

Physical Sciences, Radiation and Radiography

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