The popular flavor enhancer MSG or monosodium glutamate – often associated with Chinese food and after-dinner headaches – is also expanding your waistline, making you fat.

According to experts, people who eat more MSG are more likely to be overweight and the increased risk isn’t just because you’re filling yourself with MSG-rich foods. The link between high MSG intake and overweight persists even after taking into account the total number of calories you eat.

Used in the food industry for over 100 years, MSG is a white, odorless, crystalline powder also known as E621. It dissolves easily in water, dissociating into sodium and free glutamate. MSG is made by fermenting carb sources like beets, sugarcane and jaggery.

Why is MSG considered harmful to health?

MSG causes what is known as the MSG-system complex to make you feel sick after eating Chinese food. According to various studies, this additive is highly toxic and associated with an increased risk of metabolic disorders – primarily high insulin resistance, high blood sugar levels and diabetes.

How does MSG make you fat, fat?

While experts say it’s not clear why MSG and weight gain are linked together, studies suggest it may have something to do with the hormone leptin — which regulates appetite and metabolism.

According to research, people who consume more MSG produces more leptin And hence, consumption of this additive leads to leptin resistance – Your body not properly processing the energy it gets from food. And this may explain why people who eat more MSG gain weight, no matter how many calories they consume.

What are other effects of MSG on your health?

brain disorder

Glutamate plays an important role in brain function by acting as a neurotransmitter – a chemical substance that stimulates nerve cells to transmit signals. Therefore, it causes brain toxicity by overstimulating nerve cells due to excessive glutamate levels in the brain, resulting in cell death.

causes headache

Regular consumption of foods loaded with preservatives such as canned soups, chips and Chinese takeaways can cause severe headaches and migraines.

Common Foods That Are Rich in MSG

While MSG is naturally present in many different foods – especially those that are high in protein, it is also added to ingredients and other foods during processing. Some foods that contain MSG are:

Animal-Based Protein

Chicken, Beef, Salmon, Mackerel, Scallops, Crab, Shrimp

Cheese

Parmesan, Emmental, Cheddar, Roquefort

vegetables

Tomato, Onion, Cabbage, Green Peas, Spinach, Mushroom, Broccoli

processed meats

Pepperoni, Bacon, Pastrami, Sausage, Salami

Sauce

Soy sauce, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, salad dressing

can food

Canned soups, canned tuna, frozen foods, crackers, potato chips, flavored snacks

spices

spice mixture, rub

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