Monosodium glutamate (MSG), popularly known as “Chinese salt”, was used as a thickener and flavor enhancer in most prepared foods, especially raw meatballs, until recently. Claims that MSG is addictive are quite common. Experts drew attention to one striking detail, stating that the main thing here is to turn to reliable foods before additives.
Monosodium glutamate (MSG), otherwise known as Chinese salt, is an additive that increases the flavor of food to which it is added, sharpens its aroma and makes it want to eat all the time. On the one hand, studies are carried out that this additive causes many health problems, on the other hand, it is stated that the harm to health is not yet determined. For this reason, its use is legal in the United States, the EU and Turkey, with certain limits and for certain foods. “However, when taken in large amounts, it can cause headaches, facial flushing, nausea and shortness of breath” Food engineer Hüseyin Şirin said that this situation is called “Chinese restaurant syndrome”, but this syndrome is also valid for bodies with allergic reactions.
With the latest regulations in Turkey, its use in certain foods such as raw meatballs has been banned, but as I mentioned before, since there is no scientific data that would require it to be completely prohibited, it is legal to use it at limit values in appropriate foods according to the Turkish Food Codex. , constantly checks itself, examines the results found again and again and shares them with the scientific world when the damage is certain. Studies on the harmfulness of MSG continue in this context. mentioned.
YEAST EXTRACT IS USED INSTEAD OF MSG
Stating that the food industry is constantly striving to deliver more delicious and beautiful products to the consumer, and pointing out that some products are used to attract the consumer to the product in foods where MSG is prohibited, Hüseyin Şirin said “The first of these is yeast extract. Yeast extract is a natural flavor enhancer obtained by the disintegration of baker’s yeast and is not considered an additive because it does not have an E code. It is widely used in packaged raw meatballs , soups, spice mixes, condiments, snacks and meat products.
“THIS IS NOT FOOD WRAPPING IT’S FOOD YOU KNOW WHAT YOU EAT”
Since the mention of the content in packaged foods must be correct in the MSG, the use of which is restricted, penalties are imposed on companies that do not comply with this restriction. However, Hüseyin Şirin pointed out that the real danger here lies in some uncontrolled raw meatball restaurants and shops rather than packaged food. “MSG is the taste secret of some restaurants that the limits to be put on food are left to the discretion of the cooks and it has become a product that is taken into consideration. In recent years, in a broadcast with many viewers, an admission about the use of this salt in restaurants has drawn strong reactions. said and added:
NOTE “Again, while raw meatball companies that used MSG had high sales years ago, their sales have dropped significantly with the ban on MSG. On this occasion, it is worth recalling a Once again. Packaged foods aren’t a boogeyman, so to speak, they’re not to be surprised by trusted, well-known brands. Illegal additives can be used in packaged foods called under the stairs. It is possible to use legal additives above. limits. Outdoor foods are unnatural, extremely unsafe, and you don’t know what’s in them.”
“MSG has been associated with various forms of toxicity as well as flavor-enhancing effects. These include obesity, metabolic disorders, Chinese restaurant syndrome, neurotoxic effects, and adverse on the reproductive organs. Specialist dietitian Şebnem Kandıralı Yıldırım, giving examples from studies, pointed out that even the lowest dose of MSG creates toxic effects in the results obtained from both animal and human studies.
‘A DISCUSSIONAL FOOD ARTICLE’
Assessing the potential of MSG to cause obesity, Şebnem Kandıralı Yıldırım said: “MSG is a controversial food additive used in canned foods, crackers, meats, salad dressings, frozen meals and countless other products. Further studies are needed to assess the link between MSG and the disorders heart disease, headaches and hypertension. mentioned.
‘MOST IMPORTANT IS TO COOK AT HOME AS POSSIBLE’
Stressing that the most important thing is to cook at home as much as possible, expert dietician Şebnem Kandıralı Yıldırım said: “Packaged foods may contain additives that may not be good for your health. So choose above all those that do not contain saturated fats, sugar and sodium, or that contain less. This will reduce the risk of many chronic diseases. If you’re trying to limit food additives, buy fresh, unpackaged foods, try organic foods, and heed “preservative-free” warningshe suggested.
“LINKED TO OBESITY, HEART DISEASE AND CANCER”
Specialist dietician Şebnem Kandıralı Yıldırım, who pointed out that the consumption of a limited amount of additives can be safe, but the heavy reliance on processed foods increases the health risks, said that sugary drinks, crisps , candies, sweets, refined grains and processed meats are some of the foods. most associated with weight gain. Yıldırım mentioned that since these often contain unhealthy levels of sugar, sodium, fat, and additives, they cause empty calorie intake that does not provide satiety, nutrients, or health benefits. , can alter the ability to stop eating, make it difficult to control portions and have negative effects on the intestinal flora. He also concluded that a diet high in these ultra-processed foods is linked to chronic diseases such as obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease and cancer.