For many states in India to banned Maggi which have been around for 100 years now, it must be a wake-up call to a discovery of something harmful to human’s health. Few years ago, India woke up to the ill-effects of monosodium glutamate (MSG), popularly known as Aji-no-moto. This facts was examined behind the fear this acronym evokes; Headaches, Obesity, Cancer, Asthma attacks, poor circulation, stomach upsets, Infertility: Male infertility and pregnancy failure, and many illnesses and diseases.
What is Monosodium glutamate?
Monosodium glutamate, also known as sodium glutamate, is the sodium salt of glutamic acid, one of the most abundant naturally occurring non-essential amino acids. Glutamic acid is found naturally in tomatoes, grapes, cheese, mushrooms and other foods. MSG is used in the food industry as a flavor enhancer
Why is it Harmful?
Glutamic acid functions as a neurotransmitter in your brain It stimulates nerve cells in order to relay its signal. It leads to excessive glutamate in the brain and excessive stimulation of nerve cells. For this reason, MSG has been labeled an Excitotoxin; nerve cells are damaged or destroyed by excessive stimulation by neurotransmitters. I was confirmed through research that increased glutamate activity in your brain can cause harm and that large doses of MSG can raise blood levels of glutamate. In one study, a mega dose of MSG increased blood levels by 556%. However, dietary glutamate should have little to no effect on your brain, as it cannot cross the blood-brain barrier in large amounts. Overall, there is no compelling evidence that MSG acts as an excitotoxin when consumed in normal amounts. Any Sensitive people to MSG may experience adverse effects from consuming MSG which the condition is called Chinese restaurant syndrome or MSG symptom complex. And the Symptoms included headache, muscle tightness, numbness, tingling, weakness and flushing.
The Bottom Line
Any Sensitive people to MSG may experience adverse effects from consuming MSG which the condition is called Chinese restaurant syndrome or MSG symptom complex. And the Symptoms included headache, muscle tightness, numbness, tingling, weakness and flushing. Depending on who you ask, MSG is either perfectly safe or a dangerous neurotoxin. The truth lies somewhere in between. Evidence indicates that MSG is safe in moderate amounts. However, mega doses may cause harm. If you react adversely to MSG, you shouldn’t eat it. That said, if you don’t experience side effects, there’s no compelling reason to avoid it. Keep in mind that MSG is generally found in processed, low-quality foods which you should avoid or limit anyway. If you already eat a balanced diet with plenty of whole foods, you shouldn’t have to worry about high MSG intake.
ed by current evidence.