"Rethinking Space Salads: Potential Risks for Astronauts on Mars Missions"

Lettuce grown on the International Space Station may not be as safe for astronauts as previously thought, as research suggests that plants grown in simulated microgravity environments are more susceptible to bacterial infections. Scientists found that the plants' natural defense mechanisms are less effective in microgravity, allowing bacteria like Salmonella to invade leaf tissue more easily. Efforts are underway to modify the genetics of space lettuce to reduce the risk of bacterial infections for astronauts, as the Veggie system is a crucial food source for future missions to the Moon or Mars.