Foods with monosodium glutamate for children: yes or no

Glutamate is a non-essential amino acid that is found in small quantities in a multitude of foods in a natural way. It is preferably found in protein foods, such as fish, meat and dairy. However, although glutamate is naturally present, the sodium salt of glutamic acid is the artificial version that is used as an additive in the food industry. This additive is found in salty foods, bag snacks, soups, sauces and prepared meals, in precooked foods, and, above all, in surimi or crab sticks and their derivatives.

What is monosodium glutamate used for?

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) as a food additive, holds the GRAS category, generally Recognized As Safe, that is, insurance, and its code is E-621.

Interestingly, and although it does not even have a pleasant flavor by itself, MSG is mostly used as a flavor enhancer, since balances, combines and highlights other flavors while softening the texture of the food. It is also used as a substitute for common salt in an attempt to reduce the amount of salt consumed. In addition, the GMS performs its function of flavor enhancer only when it is used in the correct concentration, so this concentration is the most studied in terms of food safety.

Adverse effects of monosodium glutamate in children

Despite its GRAS status, MSG presents adverse effects especially in sensitive populations, so it is convenient to observe children to determine their sensitivity to this additive. In addition, it is still unknown what happens with excess MSG, if it accumulates or is eliminated from the organism, so staying within the limits considered safe is paramount.

Although it is not too frequent, there are certain children prone to tension headaches. If this is also combined with a sensitivity to MSG, ce the headaches increase , although the MSG itself has not produced them.Glutamic acid is a compound of great importance for the human brain, since it is a powerful neurotransmitter whose lack of control can cause serious problems. In this way, the consumption of excess MSG could be directly or indirectly related to neuronal alterations. The main and most studied is the possible alteration of the hypothalamus, and therefore of the systems that regulate the appetite (hyper-leptinemia),

increasing the tendency to obesity.At the moment, the only thing that seems to be clear is that there is no relationship between MSG and degenerative or chronic diseases, that

is not carcinogenic or cause asthma or allergic reactions , the latter, except in particularly sensitive individuals. Yes, it could be related, however, to cardiovascular diseases, given its possible relationship with obesity.That said, although

there is no absolute certainty that the MSG is capable of producing health problems , this possibility exists, so that a control on its consumption (codes E-620 to E-625 include the 6 allowed varieties of glutamate) would be desirable in childhood, avoiding, above all, salty snacks, and fast food chains.