Thursday, February 19, 2009

Excessive consumption of MSG causes decreased visual acuity

Japan Hirosaki University researchers found that if add a lot of monosodium glutamate (MSG) in the diet of mouse, the mouse vision will be lowered, retinal will thinning.

Prior research has found that this injection of material into the eyes can cause nerve injury. But this studies are the first demonstration, even if the food contains monosodium glutamate (MSG), it will also damage the eyes.

Although researchers said that the monosodium glutamate (MSG) should be used a little, but how much is the threshold is still unknown.

Monosodium glutamate, also known as sodium glutamate and MSG, is a sodium salt of the non-essential amino glutamic acid. It is used as a food additive and is commonly marketed as a flavour enhancer. It has the HS code 29224220 and the E number E621. Trade names of monosodium glutamate include Ajinomoto, Vetsin, and Accent. Contrary to popular belief, it does not contain gluten, and is therefore safe to be eaten by people with Coeliac disease.

Although traditional Asian cuisine had often used seaweed extract, which contains high concentrations of glutamic acid, MSG was not isolated until 1907. MSG was subsequently patented by Ajinomoto Corporation of Japan in 1909. In its pure form, it appears as a white crystalline powder; when dissolved in water or saliva, it rapidly dissociates into sodium cations and glutamate anions (glutamate is the anionic form of glutamic acid, a naturally occurring amino acid).

Originally Posted: About Additive

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