El glutamato monosódico en alimentos preparados: Impacto en los alimentos y su efecto en la salud

Abstract

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a substance responsible for producing the taste known as umami. It is believed that its consumption generates an increase in appetite, a decrease in body weight gain, in addition to the variation of some blood metabolic markers such as glucose, total cholesterol and triglycerides. Most of the commercial foods have deleterious effects on human health due to the high percentages of saturated fatty acids, trans fatty acids and hydrogenated fats in the form of high lipid diet. In addition, MSG is added by food manufacturers to improve flavor and palatability. The objective of this review is to analyze the consequences of the consumption of this food additive and its effects on health. MSG as an additive influences the hypothalamic regulation of appetite, favoring a high consumption of foods that contain it. This review formulates health care strategies to raise global awareness of the harmful impact of MSG and recommends daily consumption of antioxidant-rich natural foods instead of MSG.