What is it and why should we avoid monosodium glutamate?

Currently one of our worst habits is the consumption of processed foods. The sky-high sodium, fat, and unpronounceable chemical content transforms a once-nutritious experience into something purely artificial and even harmful. Among the many chemical additives in our food is monosodium glutamate (MSG), also known as the «umami» additive. Umami is one of the five basic tastes, along with bitter, sweet, sour and salty, it is found naturally in some foods such as meat, spinach and mushrooms, however MSG is the result of a chemical process.

In the United States it is «Generally Recognized as Safe», while the European Union classifies it as a food additive, however, the consumption of foods with MSG has been associated with some symptoms and discomforts.

What is glutamate?

MSG is an additive that enhances the flavor of some processed foods. It makes processed meats and frozen foods taste fresher, dressings taste better, and takes the metallic taste out of canned foods.

In chemical terms MSG contains 78% free glutamic acid, 21% sodium and up to 1% contaminants. MSG “tricks” our bodies into thinking that food tastes better, is healthier, and is richer in nutrients.

Why should we avoid it?

MSG consumption can cause headaches, migraines, muscle spasms, nausea, allergies, anaphylaxis, epileptic seizures, depression, and heart irregularities. Since it is a neurotoxin, it damages the nervous system and over-stimulates neurons, leading them to a state of exhaustion. Some of them will eventually die as a result of this artificial stimulation. Also, consuming foods with MSG causes blood glutamate levels to be higher than they should be. If these levels are maintained like this, glutamate leaks into the brain causing and contributing to physical discomfort.

According to the prestigious Mayo Clinic, the consumption of this additive is associated with side effects such as dizziness, nausea, sweating, weakness, tachycardia and chest pain, among others. And although it continues to be used massively in thousands of processed foods, the number of reports about its harmful effects continues to grow.

How not to consume it:

To avoid consuming MSG it is imperative to consume organic products and stop consuming processed foods. Before buying any processed product (sauces, cookies, frozen foods and junk food) read the labels, if it has monosodium glutamate do not buy it. MSG is sometimes labeled differently as: textured protein, yeast feed, soy protein concentrate, gelatin, or yeast nutrient.

Low-calorie foods or those that are fortified with vitamins, corn starch and syrup, rice syrup, and powdered milk, also contain traces of MSG.

Also read the labels of non-food products. Some cosmetics, soaps, conditioners, and shampoos also contain small amounts of this harmful product.

Keep reading: These are the 10 worst processed foods you can eat

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