Ajinomoto is the most popular ingredient flavour that improves the taste of food. It can already be found in Chinese dishes. However, the use of Ajinomoto is rapidly increasing these days. Monosodium Glutamate is the chemical name for the tasty flavour “Ajinomoto.”
Ajinomoto is a popular flavour enhancer that is often surrounded by controversy due to its negative health effects. While some claim it can cause artery blockage, others claim it can cause a heart attack. But, is Ajinomoto truly harmful to one’s health, or are all of these claims a sham?
Let’s read about it.
What is Ajinomoto?
Ajinomoto, also known as MSG, is a compound derived from sodium and glutamic acid, one of the most common naturally occurring amino acids.
MSG is made from plant-based ingredients like sugar cane, sugar beets, sodium, cassava, and corn. It is a common ingredient in Asian dishes such as noodles, fried rice, and soup.
Kikunae Ikeda, a Japanese chemist, invented it in 1908 after noticing that glutamic acid gave the food a distinct savoury umami flavour. He then attempted to create this flavour enhancer by recreating a specific flavour from kombu, a type of edible seaweed.
Later, in 1909, when a Japanese company called Ajinomoto began commercially manufacturing and selling MSG, the flavouring rose to prominence.
Are Ajinomoto and MSG the same?
Ajinomoto and MSG (monosodium glutamate) is essentially the same thing. MSG is the product’s name, and Ajinomoto is the Japanese company that manufactures it. The product became well-known simply by the name Ajinomoto, and the company later trademarked it to ensure exclusivity.
Is it really bad for your health?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has designated MSG as a food ingredient that is “generally recognised as safe,” effectively putting an end to all claims that MSG is dangerous.
MSG should only be used in small amounts and that using it in excess or regularly can be harmful to your health.
MSG is simply a flavouring made from glutamic acid, a common amino acid found in foods such as vegetables, cheese, tomatoes, fish, meat, eggs, lentils, and other dairy products. MSG is also not vegan because it is a chemical product made from naturally occurring substances.
We can safely conclude that MSG cannot cause a heart attack or a terminal illness on its own. It is safe to use in small amounts and is not harmful to your health.
Conclusion
The monosodium glutamate in Ajinomoto is not harmful to your health; however, the amount you consume must be monitored.
When you put too much salt in your food, it becomes too salty; when you put too much sugar in your food, it becomes too sweet; but with umami, you can’t tell if there is too much of it.
As a result, some people put too much of it in and claim it causes health problems, but this is similar to eating too much salt or sugar. One pinch of Ajinomoto is the correct amount to use.
Last Updated on August 16, 2021
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