Polar Journeys – The Role of Food and Nutrition in Early Exploration

The history of polar explorations can provide rich insights into food and nutrition. The author includes a discussion of the impact of Eskimo knowledge of foodstuffs, a survey of current thinking on nutrition and an examination of issues for future explorations, including space.

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Though the connection may seem unexpected, the history of polar explorations provides rich insights into food and nutrition. The expeditions depend heavily on recent advances in food preservation, and the extreme conditions bring into sharp relief such dietary problems as insufficient vitamin C or an accidental overdose of vitamin A. The author includes a discussion of Eskimo knowledge of foodstuffs and its impact on explorations. He also provides a survey of current thinking about human nutrition and examines nutritional issues for future explorations, particularly in space.