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Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) is the most popular food flavor enhancer. While monosodium glutamate is believed to be a very harmful substance, many food research organizations are not so clear-cut. Monosodium glutamate is considered safe for health, but consuming the substance in excess may turn out to be harmful.
Monosodium glutamate – what is it?
Monosodium glutamate, i.e. the salt of glutamic acid, is in the form of white odorless crystals or powder. In taste monosodium glutamate It is described as close to meat and referred to as umami (Japanese “tasty”). On food packaging labels, monosodium glutamate appears under the designation E621.
About us glutamine soda dates back to the XNUMXth century, when the substance was isolated by Karl Ritthausen from wheat gluten. Monosodium glutamate however, it was forgotten for several decades, until the sensory properties of the substance were noticed by the Japanese scientist Kikunea Ikeda. Kikunea Ikeda noticed that dishes containing monosodium glutamate They are characterized by characteristic, elusive classifications taste – they are neither sour, salty, bitter or sweet. The researcher identified a new one taste as “umami” and began producing a spice based on sodium glutamate.
Monosodium glutamate it is currently produced on an industrial scale by fermenting carbohydrate nutrients. About 400 tons are produced annually glutamine soda.
Monosodium Glutamate in Food
Monosodium glutamate it is commonly associated with highly processed food. In fact, the substance is most often found in ready-made products, such as broth cubes, Chinese soups, crisps, ready-made fast food products or ready-made sauces and dips.
An interesting fact is that glutamic acid (precursor glutamine soda) is also found naturally in breast milk, which makes babies so eager to eat their mother’s milk.
The harm of monosodium glutamate
Wokol glutamine soda many controversies and myths have arisen. On the one hand, leading organizations involved in researching the potential harmfulness of substances used in the food industry have never indicated the harmfulness of glutamine soda. On the other hand, there are heads talking about the interests of big food companies that are careful to hide harmful the impact on human health of a key substance used in mass food production.
It is safest to accept that monosodium glutamate, like any substance consumed in excess, it can have negative consequences for our health. You also need to remember that monosodium glutamate it is usually an ingredient in products commonly considered to be harmful for our condition – chips, Chinese soups, etc., and the fats and carbohydrates contained in them, combined with an unhealthy lifestyle, are really harmful for one’s health.
Monosodium glutamate and Chinese restaurant syndrome
One of the phenomena that perpetuate the myth about harmfulness glutamine soda is the so-called the Chinese restaurant syndrome, which appeared around the 60s. People attending oriental restaurants began to notice the appearance of unusual digestive ailments and pain after eating an oriental meal. The phenomenon began to be associated with use glutamine punishment as spices in Asian cuisine. After years of research, it turned out that the factor causing undesirable ailments was not monosodium glutamate, and other ingredients used in Asian cuisine: incl. nuts, herbs and prawns, which often turn out to be allergens. Unfortunately, until glutamine soda a patch stuck permanently harmful food ingredient.
Monosodium glutamate and allergies
Monosodium glutamate is one of the most studied substances. According to the current state of research, consumption glutamine soda it does not affect the development of allergies or pain in humans. Monosodium glutamate there is also harmful effects on the human digestive system, a harmful the effect of a substance can only be considered in terms of the food quality of the ingredient.