Everyone knows that sugar and salt are bad for our health,
but there is an ingredient which is much worse than them. Sodium glutamate E621
is a food additive used on almost any food to intensify the flavor, but this
crystalline substance can lead to increased appetite, overeating and obesity.
According to experts, sodium
glutamate stimulates certain cells in the brain which causes a drug-like effect
and creates a change in the genes responsible for the sense of taste. The
ingredient can be found in anything from sausages to beer. The recommended dose
of sodium glutamate E621 is 1.5 gr. for adults and less than half a gram for
children, but in reality, we consume way more than that. The symptoms of
consuming too much sodium glutamate (also known as the Chinese restaurant
syndrome) are dizziness, migraines, hormonal imbalance, nausea, chest pain and
more.
The ingredient was
discovered by Japanese scientists in the 70s. While researching the effects of
sodium glutamate, they discovered that besides enhancing the flavor, the
ingredient improved the taste and aroma of most canned, frozen and fast food
products. This harmful substance caused blindness in mice when added to their
diet, which speaks volumes about its negative effects.
One of the worst
consequences of sodium glutamate consumption is losing the sense of taste, and
its addictiveness has been compared to certain drugs. Sodium glutamate is also
the reason why some people prefer certain food products and helps the food
companies boost their sales.
Food manufacturers
benefit from the ingredient greatly, as the supplement reduces production costs
and masks the low quality of the products. This is why you always need to read
the product label carefully and use natural spices when cooking at home.
Source: www.healthylifestyleadvice.com