Got Gut Health? Military wants to improve their Meals, Ready-to-Eat with this in mind

Military wants to improve their Meals

Ready to put your gut on a military diet? I’m serious!

Military researchers from the Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine’s nutrition division, are looking to change up and improve future Meals, Ready-to-Eat or MRE’s, by using new knowledge on the digestive process. They are asking 60 participants to eat nothing but MREs for three weeks.

According to the article by Army Times, and nutrient addition; they also think they might be able to, in a manner of speaking, “weaponize” their meals- allowing the meals to fend off pathogens troops may not come into regular contact with.

Using research from the last decade, which shows just how important our gut flora is, the Army wants to make sure that MREs can best effect overall wellness. They are also looking at how proper gut bacteria may be currently lacking in meals. For example, they are looking at using plant-based materials in an energy bar. I will admit I’m shocked, but also excited.

In order to participate, you must be able to drive to the Army’s Natick, Massachusetts location and be able to eat nothing but MREs, water and black coffee for three weeks. You can’t have any other food or drink and absolutely no alcohol. There are also multiple blood draws and scans during the 6-week commitment. If you are interested, you can go here. They will have a control group, so some may luck out and not have to change their diets at all, although they will participate in the blood draws and scans.

It’s nice to see that an old dog like the US Army can learn new tricks. The “food” they serve our troops has long needed a nutritional makeover. We can’t wait to see what they come up with. Would it be too much to ask that those fighting for our peace and freedom have access to organic and GMO-free food?

Source: Army Times