Monosodium glutamate and food additives — do they harm health and memory?

Sources: 8 · Article: 9 247 characters

Jerzy Jaśkowski claims that the glutamate in a single candy bar can eliminate up to half of the good gut bacteria, and links frequent consumption of such bars to inflammation of the digestive tract.

Henryk Różański describes glutamic acid as a neurotransmitter in the brain, cerebellum, and spinal cord that improves the ability to remember and recall information.
Tadeusz Trziszka points to the effects of food components and the state of the gut microbiota on health and quality of life, and also recommends limiting chemical additives.
Monosodium glutamate and the other compounds mentioned enhance flavor by increasing the sensitivity of taste buds.

What the authors write

Jerzy Jaśkowski

Jerzy Jaśkowski claims that the glutamate in a single candy bar can eliminate up to half of the good gut bacteria.

„Let me remind you that the glutamate in one candy bar can eliminate up to 50% of the good bacteria in our digestive tract. Glutamate was originally patented as an antibiotic. Because it caused complications, its use was changed to that of a preservative.”Przypomnę, że glutaminian zawarty w jednym batoniku, jest w stanie zlikwidować do 50% dobrych bakterii w naszym przewodzie pokarmowym. Glutaminian pierwotnie został opatentowany jako antybiotyk. Z powodu wywoływania powikłań, zmieniono jego użytkowanie na konserwant.

Przechytrzyć cukrzycę. Część 1

Jerzy Jaśkowski

Jerzy Jaśkowski links frequent consumption of candy bars containing glutamate to inflammation of the digestive tract.

„Have you seen someone take an antibiotic every day for many days? And do you often buy candy bars? Systematically eliminating these good bacteria—for example, by frequently eating such candy bars—leads to inflammation of the digestive tract, which poorly trained doctors call irritable bowel syndrome.”Czy widziałeś osobę, która codziennie przez wiele dni, brałaby antybiotyk, a czy często kupujesz batoniki? Systematyczne likwidowanie tych dobrych bakterii, czyli np. częste jedzenie takich batoników, doprowadza do zapaleń przewodu pokarmowego, co niedouczeni lekarze nazywają zespołem jelita nadwrażliwego.

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Henryk Różański

According to Henryk Różański, glutamic acid improves the ability to remember and recall information.

„Hence the important role of glutamic acid in improving the processes of remembering and recalling information. In the kidneys, glutamine releases ammonia. Glutamine has an antidepressant effect, prevents impotence, and relieves symptoms of fatigue. Glutamine may help stomach and duodenal ulcers heal faster.”Stąd istotna funkcja kwasu glutaminowego w usprawnianiu procesów zapamiętywania i odtwarzania informacji. W nerkach glutamina uwalnia amoniak. Glutamina działa przeciwdepresyjnie, zapobiega impotencji, usuwa objawy zmęczenia. Glutamina może mieć wpływ na szybsze gojenie się wrzodów żołądka i dwunastnicy.

Kwas glutaminowy i glutamina a pamięć

Henryk Różański

Henryk Różański describes glutamic acid as a neurotransmitter found in the brain, cerebellum, and spinal cord.

„Glutamic acid is a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. It can cause depolarization of the postsynaptic membrane. Glutamic acid is found in the brain, cerebellum, and spinal cord. It is one of the excitatory agents that act on NMDA receptors (calcium channels; it causes calcium ions to flow into neurons).”Kwas glutaminowy jest neuroprzekaźnikiem (neurotransmitterem) w ośrodkowym układzie nerwowym. Ma zdolność wywowływania depolaryzacji błony postsynaptycznej. Kwas glutaminowy występuje w mózgu, módżdżku i rdzeniu kręgowym. Nalezy do czynników pobudzających, działających na receptory NMDA (kanały wapniowe; powoduje napływanie jonów wapnia do wnętrza neuronów).

Kwas glutaminowy i glutamina a pamięć

Henryk Różański

Henryk Różański also links glutamic acid to the processes of remembering and recalling information.

„Hence the important role of glutamic acid in improving the processes of remembering and recalling information. In the kidneys, glutamine releases ammonia. When given orally or parenterally, it stimulates neuronal activity. Glutamine has an antidepressant effect, prevents impotence, and relieves symptoms of fatigue.”Stąd istotna funkcja kwasu glutaminowego w usprawnianiu procesów zapamiętywania i odtwarzania informacji. W nerkach glutamina uwalnia amoniak. Po podaniu doustnym lub pozajelitowym pobudza aktywność neuronów. Glutamina działa przeciwdepresyjnie, zapobiega impotencji, usuwa objawy zmęczenia.

Kwas glutaminowy

Henryk Różański

Monosodium glutamate and the other compounds mentioned enhance flavor by increasing the sensitivity of taste buds.

„These compounds increase the sensitivity of taste buds, causing channels to open through which flavor molecules reach the receptors. Taste sensations are perceived and analyzed more quickly and efficiently. The flavor seems stronger. Guanylic acid and its salts, as well as disodium inosinate, emphasize the meaty flavor of foods.”Związki te zwiększają wrażliwość kubków smakowych, sprawiają, że otwarte zostają kanały przez które molekuły smaku docierają do receptorów. Wrażenia smakowe są odbierane i analizowane szybciej i sprawniej. Smak wydaje się mocniejszy. Kwas guanylowy oraz jego sole, ponadto inozynian disodowy podkreślają smak mięsny potraw.

Sole kwasu glutaminowego a przyprawy

Tadeusz Trziszka

Tadeusz Trziszka says that food components and the state of the gut microbiota affect health and quality of life, and recommends minimizing chemical additives.

„Summary: The key factor in our health and quality of life is the interaction between the physiological state of the gut microbiota and food components, with chemical additives kept to a minimum. Research on the gut microbiota has a short history, and only now are we gradually learning about its major role in our health and lives.”Podsumowanie Zasadniczym czynnikiem naszego zdrowia i jakości życia jest interakcja pomiędzy fizjologicznym stanem mikrobioty jelitowego a składnikami żywności z minimalizacją dodatków chemicznych. Badania nad mikrobiotą jelitową mają krótką historię i dopiero teraz powoli dowiadujemy się o jej wielkiej roli dla naszego zdrowia i życia.

Trziszka T. — jaja

Tadeusz Trziszka

Tadeusz Trziszka states that glutamate is a neurotransmitter in the system connecting intestinal cells with the vagus nerve.

„The Kaelberer group also established in a series of studies that glutamate is a neurotransmitter in this system. Figure 4. Communication pathways connecting the gut microbiome with the brain [88]”Grupa Kaelberera ustaliła również w serii badań, że neuroprzekaźnikiem w tym systemie jest glutaminian. Rycina 4. Drogi komunikacji łączące mikrobiom jelitowy z mózgiem [88] Figure 4. Communication pathways connecting the gut microbiome with the brain [88]

Trziszka T. — jaja

Research from PubMed · Europe PMC

We selected 3 studies with the best, positive results. This is a selection, not a full review of all research.

Total number of studies on this topic in PubMed: 73.

The review states that monosodium glutamate has been considered safe by agencies that assess food additives.

Aim of the study: Glutamic acid or its ionic form L-glutamate (GLU) is one of the most abundant amino acids in nature and it plays important functions at the cellular and systemic levels. For instance, in the intestine and liver, GLU is a source of energy and is the precursor of key biological molecules.

Results: In addition, GLU has been related with short- and long-term potentiation, memory and the learning. Furthermore, consumption of GLU or its monosodium salt (monosodium glutamate, MSG) as a food additive is responsible for the umami taste. The consumption of MSG has been considered safe for different agencies responsible for the evaluation of the safe use of food additives, which have establish an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) "not specified", or classified as Generally Recognized Safe Substance (GRAS). This review focuses on important metabolic aspects of GLU and its role in food tasting and MSG safety.

L-glutamate: a key amino acid for senory and metabolic functions. · Arch Latinoam Nutr 2016

Money for the studynot stated

Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated

Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown

Type of studydiscussion of other studies

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

The review indicates that the effects of glutamate in the brain depend on the circumstances, and that some observed changes may be beneficial.

Aim of the study: Glutamate is a crucial neurotransmitter of the mammalian central nervous system, a molecular component of our diet, and a popular food-additive. However, for decades, concerns have been raised about the issue of glutamate's safety as a food additive; especially, with regards to its ability (or otherwise) to cross the blood-brain barrier, cause excitotoxicity, or lead to neuron death.

Results: These observations suggest that with regards to the mammalian brain, exogenous glutamate might exert a double-sided effect, and in essence be a two-faced molecule whose effects may be dependent on several factors. This review draws from the research experiences of the authors and other researchers regarding the effects of exogenous glutamate on the brain of rodents. We also highlight the possible implications of such effects on the brain, in health and disease. Finally, we deduce that beyond the culinary effects of exogenous glutamate, there is the possibility of a beneficial role in the understanding and management of brain disorders.

Dietary glutamate and the brain: In the footprints of a Jekyll and Hyde molecule. · Neurotoxicology 2020

Money for the studynot stated

Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated

Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown

Type of studydiscussion of other studies

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

In male rats, MSG was linked to neurotoxic changes in the hippocampus, and plasmalogens alleviated some of these changes.

Aim of the study: Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is the most commonly used food additive and has well-known neurotoxic effects. The current study was carried out to assess the underlying mechanisms of the neurotoxicity of MSG on the hippocampus in male rats and examine the protective effect of plasmalogens (Pls) on nuclear factor-B (NF-κB) and p38 MAPK signaling pathways in the hippocampus using behavioral, biochemical, and immunohistochemical methods.

Results: Results show that plasmalogens ameliorate the levels of glucose, insulin, lipids, oxidative stress markers, antioxidant enzymes, AKT, and neurochemical markers. It also reduces the level of the inflammatory markers TNF-α, NF-κB, and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Histological and immunohistochemical alterations in hippocampal tissues were found to be augmented postexposure to Pls, suggesting that Pls have a potent ameliorative effect. We conclude that Pls exert anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiapoptotic effects and counteract MSG-induced neurotoxicity by altering the NF-κB and p38 MAPK signaling pathways.

Efficacy of Plasmalogens on Monosodium Glutamate-Induced Neurotoxicity in Male Rats Through NF-κB and p38 MAPK Signaling Pathways. · Oxid Med Cell Longev 2025

Money for the studynot stated

Do the authors have ties to companies?no — the authors say so

Did a manufacturer help with the study?NO

Type of studyanimal study

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

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