Health Risks of Consuming Ajinomoto

There was a time when food meant things that were cooked at home. Eating out was a very uncommon feature. Times have changed and every house now is stocked with pre-cooked or ready-to-eat foods.

But along with this change, a feeling of awareness has also come about. People are no more blind consumers. Awareness of the ingredient list and nutrition label is catching up. This awareness drive has brought to the fore discussions regarding health effects of Ajinomoto.

Also Read: Ajinomoto Is A Silent-Killer

Ajinomoto or monosodium glutamate, also known as MSG, is an ingredient that is increasingly being found in many packed foods. Initially, it was only associated with Chinese food, but now MSG has invaded every cuisine in the world.

Take a look at the pre-cooked food items on the store shelves. You will not miss this item in the ingredient list. Apart from the noodles, you will also find that Ajinomoto is something as simple as potato wafers.

What is Ajinomoto and why are monosodium glutamate health effects a matter of grave concern? Discovered in 1909 by Ajinomoto Corp, a Japanese firm, MSG is a food additive that is a very effective flavour enhancer. What worked best for food companies was that this effective product came at a very low price. This worked well for them. Its use multiplied and spread across boundaries and seas.

Headaches: Headaches are a common side effect of MSG. But this is only a small issue. It can also develop into a migraine that can cause severe problems. Not only does the head ache terribly, but this can also become a repetitive feature.

Affects Nerves: Nerves are also affected with repeated consumption of MSG. Health effects of Ajinomoto go on to cause numbness, tingling or burning sensations in the face and neck. People often feel drowsiness and weakness too. Neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s and multiple sclerosis are also associated with Ajinomoto.

Problems to Heart: The heart does not go untouched. Consumption of Ajinomoto can result in fluttering heartbeats, chest pains and cardiac arrests.

Not good for women and infant: Sterility in women has also been linked to the consumption of Ajinomoto. It has often been said that a pregnant lady should avoid foods containing MSG. Also, all food items containing MSG carry a warning that they are unsuitable for infants. A warning of this nature would not be issued without any cause.

Other problems: Some other health effects of Ajinomoto include high blood pressure, abdominal problems, thyroid dysfunctions, type 2 diabetes, obesity, asthma, hormonal imbalance, autism, food allergies and also retina damage. Life is too short to pay such high prices for satisfying taste buds.

As mentioned earlier, health effects of Ajinomoto are discussed world over. However, no clear judgment has come in this regard. The Ajinomoto industry is huge and if this industry were to be hit, there would be countless restaurants and food chains that might suffer. Some of the noted food giants rely upon MSG for enhancing flavours. Though the verdict is not clear yet, the fact that it is so much in discussion cannot be ignored. These concerns cannot be said to be baseless.