General Health Stuff

EFFECTS OF MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE ON HEALTH

Monosodium glutamate or MSG is well known by its trade name ‘Ajinomoto’. It is a sodium salt of the naturally occurring glumatic acid. It takes place naturally in foods such as aged parmesan cheese, mushrooms fermented soybean products like soy sauce and so on. Glumatic acid belongs to the category of compound called glutamates. It is a source of the flavor called umami. Umami taste is recognized as a fifth taste in addition to the sweet, salty, sour and bitter. MSG acts as flavor enhancer food additive. In short, adding MSG to foods means enhancing and intensifying other tastes. Today, it is extensively used in Asian cuisine while making various Chinese dishes as well as packaged food products such as cheeps, soups, crackers and soup mixes, lunch meats, salad dressing and many others. The MSG additive is made by fermentation of sugar and starch. The problems associated with processed foods are consciously rising. Overabundance of these foods item can leads to several life threatening affliction.

 

EFFECTS OF MSG ON HUMAN HEALTH

 

MSG was first discovered in United States and later it is popularized in many worlds. In 1968, some people reported side effects of consuming Chinese food and give importance to a condition known as Chinese restaurant syndrome. Actually, it is a collection of symptoms that one observes within a few hours after eating Chinese food. However, there has been a wide speculations that Monosodium glutamate is the main culprit behind various health disorders. The list of potential side effects is mentioned below:

 

  • Burning sensation
  • Chest pain
  • Tingling
  • Tightness or facial pressure
  • Numbness
  • Headache
  • Difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath
  • Nausea
  • Rapid or irregular heartbeat
  • Skin rash
  • Weakness or Lack of energy
  • Dizziness, mental disorientation or confusion
  • Loss of balance
  • Sweating
  • Diarrhea
  • Joint pain or stiffness
  • Rise or drop in blood pressure
  • Difficulty in opening the mouth or throat tightness
  • Intense thirst
  • Ringing ears
  • Nocturia

Studies indicate that Consumption MSG may be associated with obesity, migraine, food allergies and hyperactivity in children and so on. In addition, if the intake of MSG increases it may result into severe issues such as cancer, respiratory illness, fertility issues and neurological damages etc.

 

REASONS TO AVOID CONSUMPTION OR OVERABUNDANCE OF MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE:-

 

Having a healthy diet is always important as it gives long lasting benefits and keeps you away from several health disorder and life threatening afflictions. But, today’s generation is more addicted by the fast food. They give more preference to food that contains artificial colors, Tran’s fats, hydrogenated oil and ajinomoto. Balancing healthy and nutritious food with good, spicy taste is become a tough task for many women every day. But many people do not realize that to gain short term gain like taste, the chemical like MSG makes lots of bad impact on their health in long term. The chemical compound like MSG or ajinomoto is extensively utilized in many sweet and savory dishes like schezwan rice, soups, noodles and meat to make that food more delicious. Though it enhances the taste of food but it also interferes into the body’s nervous system as well. Many people develop long term diseases after consumption of even small amount of MSG; hence it is better to avoid the intake of MSG.

 

1) MSG and digestive system:-

 

MSG interferes with the digestive system and may weaken the digestive ability. In short, it carries several digestive problems such as diarrhea, extreme pain in gall bladder and many others.

 

2) MSG and Blood pressure:-

 

Intake of MSG can stimulate high blood pressure and cal also blocks the effects of medication which in turn becomes potentially dangerous condition for the person.

 

3) MSG and obesity:-

 

While conduction one research on rats, one conclusion was drawn that MSG increases the appetite of rats and contributes to obesity. In human being, as mentioned above, it stimulates certain neurons to the extent of cell damage, which can accordingly result in abnormal development and obesity. Potato and tortilla chips contain this additive in large quantity, which is harmful for health and may even lead to obesity.

 

4) MSG and migraine:-

 

Studies indicate that people suffer from chronic case of migraine or headache after consuming monosodium glutamate.

 

5) MSG and Asthma:-

 

Intake of MSG is believed to have severe allergic reactions such as asthma. Most children who are prone to allergic attack should altogether avoid even small amount of MSG.

 

6) Affects the sensory organs:-

 

Excessive glutamate present in the body affects the hearing ability of the ears as well as produces ringing sensations in the ears. Besides that, it affects eyes as the retina get damage by excessive MSG intake.

 

7) MSG and the brain:-

 

MSG is believe or known to cause damage to the nervous system. It is major culprit to cause severe diseases such as Alzheimer’s, brain injury, brain tumors, autism, hypertension, infections, lyme diseases, stroke, depression, mood swings, and attention deficit disorders, multiple sclerosis, sleepiness, insomnia, slurred speech and so on. Consuming food that is chemically altered threatens the body balance for the blood-brain barrier to work effectively. One fact should also consider that, by consuming foods with MSG, blood glutamate level remains high and if that level increases more, then the glutamate may sleep into the brain or may lead to numerous health problems.

 

Unfortunately, a potentially harmful ingredient like MSG is still available in large quantities in the content of junk food, ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat packages in the groceries. However the simplest way to avoid the consumption of MSG is to eat maximum organic food, avoid all processed foods and read labels as well.