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Kerwinkle t1_jdgyw1h wrote

Reply to comment by Dark_Believer in How does the gravity (or lack thereof) on the ISS affect digestive systems of it's occupants? by Bob_Perdunsky

Ever wondered why airline meals seem to taste bland? Ask an airline meal chef about loss of taste on passenger flights. I'm sure it's not the same issue as spaceflight but a long haul flight also affects your sense of taste and smell. A good thing when you consider all the farts unleashed during those flights too.

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Cow_Launcher t1_jdhb7fk wrote

The problem with aircraft is that the cabin air is very dry, (bleed air from the engines that has been run through airconditioning packs and is at least partly recycled). This dries out the mucous membranes in the nose, which in turn dulls your sense of smell.

Your sense of taste isn't standalone - it depends heavily on your sense of smell. So with that missing/impaired, food will taste bland or even entirely different to how it does on the ground.

Come to think of it, this may also be a factor in the ISS as well as the congestion problems they have. It would be interesting to know if they have humidifiers on board up there.

::Edit:: Yes they do, sort of! it's the Temperature and Humidity Control (THC) subsystem of the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS).

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Remcin t1_jdibflm wrote

Has any airline ever tried a humidifier? Seems too simple to not have thought of.

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[deleted] t1_jdidbdm wrote

[removed]

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Remcin t1_jdif0c1 wrote

The corrosion was my thought as well. The other reasons make sense to me as well. And go figure the private flights have figured it out haha.

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