Effect of MonoSodium Glutamate present in artificial food seasoning

_{img source: common wikimedia}

As an African child born and raised here in Nigeria, it is of common notice of how people consume large amount of mono sodium glutamate present in artificial food seasoning on daily basis. These artificial seasonings are been marketed on television and radio daily, promoting the use of it in our day to day cookings without the population knowing the effects it has in the body. While i was still in the University, some of my female friends can't even cook without the use of about three or more cubes of artificial seasoning in a small meal. With that aside, i hope to sensitize the public with this post on the effect which arises from excessive intake of mono sodium glutamate present in artificial seasonings.

what is Mono sodium glutamate (MSG)

Mono sodium glutamate which is also known as ajinomoto, MSG or vetsin is a food additive that usually enhances the flavour of foods. Although, it occurs naturally in many foods, it is addictive which is why food industries makes use of it to keep us addicted to their products, especially for those of us who loves fast foods.

_{img source: common wikimedia}

When ingested, Mono sodium glutamate dissociates to form sodium ion and glutamic acid before been absorb into the blood stream. Without wasting much of your time, let's take a look at each of these components and their effects in the body over a long period of time.

Sodium

Sodium is one of the most essential elements required by our body. Its function includes regulation of blood pressure, regulates the muscles and nerves, aids in the transmission of fluids through the cells and and transfer of nerve impulses. Sodium which is also derived from our table and cooking salt can be detrimental to our health when we consume more than the required which is 1,500 mg per day. By adding seasonings to our cooking, we are increasing the amount of sodium present in the food since we already added our cooking salt.

Effect of excessive sodium intake

The most common cause of excess sodium intake is high blood pressure. High blood pressure also referred to as silent killer is a common condition which is caused by blood exerting extra force on the walls of the artery. This condition is dangerous to our health in the long run as it leads to an increase risk of heart related diseases, stroke, organ failure, blindness etc. People who consume sodium more than the required amount (1,500 mg/day) are likely to have high blood pressure.

_{img source: common wikimedia}

Glutamic Acid

Glutamic acid also refered to as glutamate is a non-essential amino acid present naturally in foods such as meats, eggs, tomatoes etc. It is a non-essential amino acid since the body can produce the amount it requires. Glutamate plays an important role in learning and memory, it is an important precursor for the synthesis of other amino acids, its also the precursor for the production of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) a neurotransmitter responsible for reducing anxiety and improving mood.

Effects of excessive Glutamic Acid intake

• Since glutamate is responsible for transmission of chemical messages from one nerve cell to the other, high concentration of glutamate can lead to the over stimulation of the receptors which in turn leads to death of the nerve cells. The death of this nerve cells can lead to disease such as parkinson disease, stroke.

• Leads to Obesity : From a research carried out by Ka H. et al. (2008), It was concluded that the consumption of monosodium glutamate by the families which used it in cooking for 10days were obese compared to the others. Obesity places an individual at an higher risk of having cardiovascular disease, diabetes and so on.

Conclusion

Although, by reducing the amount of artificial seasoning you put in your meal while cooking will make your family and friends feel like you are not a good cook because they are already addicted to the taste of MSG. There are other traditional ways in which you can improve the flavour of your meal naturally. With the the above cited effects of monosodium glutamate in the body, our artificial seasoning intake should be greatly controlled and monitored. Just as the old saying goes

"prevention is better than cure."

References

Ka He et al., (2008). Association of monosodium glutamate intake with overweight in Chinese adults: the INTERMAP Study. Retrieved Aug 10, 2018, from: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1038/oby.2008.274

Blandini F, *et al., *(1998). Prospects of glutamate antagonists in the therapy of Parkinson's disease. Retrieved Aug 10, 2018, from: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1472-8206.1998.tb00918.x

Nagata M. et. al (2006). Type 2 diabetes mellitus in obese mouse model induced by monosodium glutamate. Retrieved Aug 10, 2018, from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16651693

Freeman M. (2006). Reconsidering the effects of monosodium glutamate: a literature review. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Retrieved Aug 10,2018, from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16999713

Sung k. et al., (2009). Dietary Salt Intake and Hypertension. Electrolyte and blood press. Retrieved August 10, 2018, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4105387/