2. Monosodium Glutamate
Monosodium glutamate (MSG, also known as
sodium glutamate) is the sodium salt of glutamic
acid, one of the most abundant naturally occurring
non-essential amino acids. Monosodium
glutamate is found naturally in tomatoes, cheese
and other foods.MSG is used in the food industry
as a flavor enhancer with an umami taste that
intensifies the meaty, savory flavor of food, as
naturally occurring glutamate does in foods such
as stews and meat soups.
5. MSG in Food:-
• Flavored (especially cheese-
• Canned soups
• Instant noodles
• Soup and dip mix
• Seasoning salt
• Bouillon cubes
• Salad dressings
• Gravy mixes or pre-made gravies
• Cold cuts and hot dogs, including
soy-based (i.e. vegetarian) varieties
6. Glutamate functions as a neurotransmitter in
the brain. It is an "excitatory" neurotransmitter,
meaning that it excites nerve cells in order to
relay its signal. Some have claimed that MSG
leads to excessive glutamate in the brain, and
excessive stimulation of nerve cells. For this
reason, MSG has been referred to as an
excitotoxin.
In the year 1969, injecting large doses of
MSG into newborn mice was shown to cause
harmful neurological effects. This paper
ignited a fear of MSG, which remains to this
day.
Why Do People Think That It Is
Harmful
7. MSG Side Effects:-
Some people find that consuming MSG, especially
in large quantities, can trigger various side effects
and symptoms, including
Headaches
Nausea
Dizziness
Rapid or irregular heartbeat
Flushing or excessive sweating
Skin rash
Intense thirst
Ringing ears
Tingling in the mouth
8. Advantages:-
MSG’s enhancement of flavor
encourages appetite, an
advantage in medical
situations where people lack
the desire to eat, through age
or illness, and need to be
encouraged to take food.
Another benefit is as a
substitute for the extra salt
often added to many
processed foods. Salt has
traditionally been used to
enhance the taste of food, but
is proved to have health risks.
9. Industry
MSG has many business advantages for the
food industry, including its cheapness and
easy availability. But its biggest advantage is
that it encourages people to buy more of the
industry’s products.