The Indian Journal of Nutrition and Dietetics

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Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) - A Food Additive


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1 Pathology and Microbiology Division, National Institute of Nutrition, Indian Council of Medical Research, Hyderabad - 500 007, India
     

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Monosodium glutamate (MSG) also known as glutamic acid is a non essential amino acid used as a flavor enhancer worldwide. MSG is found naturally in tomatoes, grapes, cheese, mushrooms and other foods. It is one of the most widely used food additive in commercial foods. Monosodium glutamate is believed to be associated with different health problems viz., obesity, asthma, metabolic disorders, Chinese restaurant syndrome, neurotoxic effects and detrimental effects on the reproductive organs. Literature showed MSG was associated with adverse side-effects particularly in animals including induction of obesity, diabetes, hepatotoxic, neurotoxic and genotoxic effects. Literature showed that increased consumption of monosodium glutamate may be associated with harmful health effects. Further Intensive research is required to explore monosodium glutamate–related molecular and metabolic mechanisms.


Keywords

Monosodium Glutamate, Flavour Enhancer, Food Additive, Chinese Restaurant Syndrome.
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  • Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) - A Food Additive

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Authors

R. Naveen Kumar
Pathology and Microbiology Division, National Institute of Nutrition, Indian Council of Medical Research, Hyderabad - 500 007, India
P. Uday Kumar
Pathology and Microbiology Division, National Institute of Nutrition, Indian Council of Medical Research, Hyderabad - 500 007, India
R. Hemalatha
Pathology and Microbiology Division, National Institute of Nutrition, Indian Council of Medical Research, Hyderabad - 500 007, India

Abstract


Monosodium glutamate (MSG) also known as glutamic acid is a non essential amino acid used as a flavor enhancer worldwide. MSG is found naturally in tomatoes, grapes, cheese, mushrooms and other foods. It is one of the most widely used food additive in commercial foods. Monosodium glutamate is believed to be associated with different health problems viz., obesity, asthma, metabolic disorders, Chinese restaurant syndrome, neurotoxic effects and detrimental effects on the reproductive organs. Literature showed MSG was associated with adverse side-effects particularly in animals including induction of obesity, diabetes, hepatotoxic, neurotoxic and genotoxic effects. Literature showed that increased consumption of monosodium glutamate may be associated with harmful health effects. Further Intensive research is required to explore monosodium glutamate–related molecular and metabolic mechanisms.


Keywords


Monosodium Glutamate, Flavour Enhancer, Food Additive, Chinese Restaurant Syndrome.

References





DOI: https://doi.org/10.21048/ijnd.2020.57.1.23998