Monosodium glutamate E621, or MSG, is the salt form of the amino acid glutamate. MSG is added to many foods to enhance flavor. Though Monosodium glutamate E621 is considered safe, some are convinced it has potentially dangerous health effects.
What Is Monosodium glutamate E621?
Monosodium Glutamate E621 is a white crystalline granular or powder. It is used to intensify flavors of food and is produced by a bacterial fermentation process with starch or molasses. MSG is not a direct taste enhancer but a complex flavor enhancer for gravies, meats, poultry, sauces, and in other combinations. It is also used to enhance the taste of tobacco.
Possible Side Effects of Monosodium glutamate E621
Though Monosodium glutamate E621 is regarded as safe supplement, there maybe some side effects:
- Rashes, itching, burning, numbness;
- Migraines, headaches;
- Asthma;
- Irritable bowel syndrome symptoms;
- Chest tightness, heart palpitations, heart arrhythmia, anxiety;
- Irritability, restlessness, sleep disturbance; and
- Obesity
GRAS Affirmation: Yes
Generally recognized as safe (GRAS) is an American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) designation that a chemical or substance added to food is considered safe by experts, and so is exempted from the usual Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) food additive tolerance requirements. Monosodium glutamate E621 is considered safe.
Suggested Dosage
NA.
Special Populations Precaution
There is a lot of concern about diet and nutrition for these population, like Newborns, children, pregnant, sensitive to Monosodium glutamate populations. Better consult to your doctor if you would like to intake Monosodium glutamate.
Related Research
1. The safety evaluation of monosodium glutamate. [J Nutr. 2000 Apr] Author: Walker R, Lupien JR.
2. [The effect of probiotic therapy on development of experimental obesity in rats caused by monosodium glutamate]. [Fiziol Zh. 2014] Author: Savcheniuk OA, Virchenko OV, Falalieieva TM, Beregova TV, Babenko LP, Lazarenko LM, Spivak MIa.
3. Pathological Changes in Hepatocytes of Mice with Obesity-induced Type 2 Diabetes by Monosodium Glutamate. [Yakugaku Zasshi. 2014] Author: Nakadate K, Motojima K, Kamata S, Yoshida T, Hikita M, Wakamatsu H.
4. Biochemical Alterations during the Obese-Aging Process in Female and Male Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)-Treated Mice. [Int J Mol Sci. 2014 Jun 27] Author: Hernández-Bautista RJ, Alarcón-Aguilar FJ, Del C Escobar-Villanueva M, Almanza-Pérez JC, Merino-Aguilar H, Fainstein MK, López-Diazguerrero NE.
5. The sensitivity of male rat reproductive organs to monosodium glutamate. [Acta Med Acad. 2014] Author: Iamsaard S, Sukhorum W, Samrid R, Yimdee J, Kanla P, Chaisiwamongkol K, Hipkaeo W, Fongmoon D, Kondo H.
