This is how this flavor enhancer actually affects health.

He monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a food additive that has been the subject of prejudice and opposition in the collective imagination despite the lack of merit for it. stigma, Patented by Japanese chemist Kikunae Ikeda in 1908, MSG is the sodium salt of glutamic acid, an amino acid found in meat, tomatoes, seaweed and Parmesan cheese. MSG has no flavor on its own, but when added to other foods, it adds flavor. This is known as “umami”.

Is glutamate safe?

Glutamate is common in products such as packaged broths and soups. Frozen food

, It is obtained through the fermentation of cane or beet sugar, a process similar to that of making yogurt, wine or beer, and it usually appears Labels like E621, Although this nomenclature may be worrisome, it is important to remember that all additives have similar names and are not necessarily harmful. For example, vitamin C is named E300; And of turmeric, E100.

For many decades the idea has been spread that glutamate is in Harmful Effects For health, such as nausea, redness, sweating, headache or chest pain. However, no studies have been found that show a direct link between this supplement and the reported negative effects of moderate intake. In fact, the US Food and Drug Administration, World Health Organization

And the European Food Safety Authority found no evidence of alleged harm from glutamate in its own investigation.

In 2017, European Food Safety Authority established an “acceptable daily intake” limit of 30 mg MSG per kilogram of body weight, indicating that it is completely safe and poses no health risks, as long as the intake is within normal limits. Although is a lethal doseTo achieve this would require consumption a thousand times the permitted daily amount.

It is important to mention that these analyzes were conducted on pure MSG, not pure MSG. processed foods Which contains glutamate… in addition to many other additives whose intake is advised to be controlled. However, despite all this evidence, the poor reputation of this product has led food companies to use the phrase “MSG-free” to attract buyers. However, it’s just that… marketing strategy And no guarantee of a healthy product.