What is MSG? Monosodium Glutamate (E621)

WHAT IS MSG? "Monosodium Glutamate" (E621)

Monosodium Glutamate, an indispensable flavor of Chinese and Japanese cuisine, is widely used in processed foods in many countries, including Turkey. Experts say that this flavor enhancer in processed foods poses a significant risk, especially for children's development, and that frequent use brings many illnesses along with it.

MSG — Monosodium Glutamate (E621) — used especially as a flavor enhancer in Chinese and Japanese cuisine, is now also frequently used in Turkish cuisine. Experts say Monosodium Glutamate has many harmful effects. Noting that children in particular are affected due to the harmful reactions it causes, experts report that this flavor enhancer causes many ailments, "from Alzheimer's to Parkinson's, from eye damage to the suppression of growth hormone in children." MSG's reactions are also called "Chinese Restaurant Syndrome."

MSG (E621) Can Cause Glaucoma

Studies show that Monosodium Glutamate (E621) attacks cells in the retina. Japanese scientists observed that monosodium glutamate (E621), used as a flavor enhancer in many processed foods, damages the eyes. In experiments conducted by scientist Hiroshi Ohguro and his team at Hirosaki University, mice were given various amounts of monosodium glutamate. It was found that the glutamate substance attacked cells in the retina and that the mice's vision decreased.

Hiroshi Ohguro noted that in the Asian region, where monosodium glutamate is used intensively as a flavor enhancer, a type of eye disease known as glaucoma is seen very frequently, and said this situation needs to be investigated.

How Does Our Sense of Taste Work?

The sense of taste begins when chemical substances, broken down by saliva, enter the roughly 200 taste buds on the tongue. The signals generated here are carried to the brain via nerves, activating our sense of taste.

Our tongue can generally perceive 4 different tastes: sweet, bitter, sour, and salty. Sweet foods are distinguished by the tip of the tongue, bitter by the root, and sour and salty by the sides of the tongue. While our tongue can distinguish 4 or 5 tastes, our brain can evaluate a mixture of hundreds of flavors. Flavor is perceived through the combined work of the senses of taste and smell. The sense of smell takes on a significant portion — around 70-80% — of the task of distinguishing flavor.

Beware of Products Containing MSG!

Monosodium Glutamate affects our sense of taste. Our sense of taste, a part of our nervous system that allows us to distinguish the taste and flavor of the food and drinks we consume, can be tricked into making the foods we eat feel more delicious. When foods containing MSG are consumed, the brain thinks these foods are more delicious, leading to increased consumption.

At byKeskin, we do not use MSG (Monosodium Glutamate / E621) in our products. Our fresh chicken and egg products reach your table with their natural content.