Monosodium glutamate, or food supplement E621, is a substance that enhances the taste of any dishes and products. Now it is present in almost all spices, foods and food additives. Recently, ordinary people are increasingly worried about the question: "Is sodium glutamate harmful?" The manufacturers of the powder claim that it only gives the dishes a great taste, and all the talk about its harmfulness is fundamentally wrong.
History tour
E621 monosodium glutamate was invented in Japan at the beginning of the last century. Then, Japanese scientists in the course of experiments established that this white crystalline powder is able to improve the taste of meat dishes. About 40 years passed before food manufacturers took advantage of these miraculous properties. The production of monosodium glutamate was initially added to sausages and dry broths. Thanks to the success of such products, manufacturers have gone wild. Today, monosodium glutamate E621 is added to almost all food products. It allows not only to preserve the color of the product, but also to give it a rich taste. In addition, the powder is used for medicinal purposes: in dentistry, with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and with hypertension.
Shout Myths
Monosodium glutamate is a natural substance - the glutamic acid sodium salt . In the human body, this product is also produced, but in small quantities, participating in the metabolism, as well as in the work of the nervous system and brain. This fact allowed manufacturers of food additives to claim that their product is not only harmless, but also important for the human body, native in composition. But, according to experts, only monosodium glutamate, naturally extracted, found in ordinary foods that have not been processed, is useful. Glutamate, which was obtained artificially, is used on an industrial scale.
Since glutamate enhances the taste of the product, manufacturers often use it to sell low-quality raw materials, because E621 is able to suppress even the taste of decaying meat. That is why most factories and plants support this supplement with all their might. After all, it helps to avoid ruin and sell even spoiled food products. However, the powder is an approved food supplement.
Tasty drug
So is sodium glutamate harmful to human health? The synthetically created product contains toxic substances that contribute to the excitation of brain cells. With its regular use, irreversible changes in these cells can be noted. In particular, glutamate is contraindicated in pregnant women, since through the placenta it is able to penetrate the fetus, causing damage to its nervous system. In addition, with regular use of E621 is addictive, which in nature is similar to narcotic. The body simply ceases to perceive the natural taste of products due to atrophy of taste buds. In addition, glutamate can cause allergies and digestive problems. But the use of natural seasonings and spices will help to again feel the natural taste of the products.