Flavor enhancers (E numbers), E621

1. In the current, fast, time we would like to eat something that is ready quickly, and that tastes good. The food manufacturers respond very effectively to this by 'enriching' cheap, tasteless food with a flavor enhancer. A product from the supermarket without a flavor enhancer is almost unthinkable.

1. When we talk about flavor enhancers, the discussion about E numbers immediately comes into view. It is entirely true that flavor enhancers fall under the European permitted additives, so always good. At least that would be a logical assumption. But flavor enhancers form a separate group within the E numbers. A separate group that generally gets a lot of attention for their debatable claim that they are good for health, or at least not bad.

1. Within the E numbers, the flavor enhancers all fall under the 600 group. This means that all flavor enhancers have an E number that starts with E6. The most notorious in this group is the flavor enhancer E621, Mono Sodium Glutamate or MSG. The truth about flavor enhancers!

E numbers are not necessarily bad

1. I have already paid ample attention to E numbers in previous articles, so a brief explanation of what E numbers are now. E numbers are officially approved substances by the European government that may be added to food. This mainly concerns colorants, flavorings, flavor enhancers and preservatives. If you read the labels in the supermarket, you can see that each product contains one or more E numbers. Using this gives the manufacturer the option of giving the food an attractive color, extending its shelf life, or adding some flavor to tasteless food in an artificial way. We are now so used to it that we have forgotten how many products really taste, so without all kinds of crazy additives.

2. I have already paid ample attention to E numbers in previous articles, so a brief explanation of what E numbers are now. E numbers are officially approved substances by the European government that may be added to food. This mainly concerns colorants, flavorings, flavor enhancers and preservatives. If you read the labels in the supermarket, you can see that each product contains one or more E-numbers. Using this gives the manufacturer the option of giving the food an attractive color, extending its shelf life or adding some flavor to tasteless food in an artificial way. We are now so used to it that we have forgotten how many products really taste, so without all kinds of crazy additives.

1. There has been a heated discussion about the use of these E-numbers for many years. Many people believe that all E numbers are harmful to health. I want to add some nuance to this, because there are also a lot of good E numbers. Substances that are naturally extracted from natural products. But there are also E numbers that have long been the subject of heated debate with proven health concerns. Just think of the well-known Aspartame (E951).

2. There has been a heated discussion about the use of these E numbers for many years. Many people believe that all E numbers are harmful to health. I want to add some nuance to this, because there are also a lot of good E numbers. Substances that are naturally extracted from natural products. But there are also E numbers that have long been the subject of heated debate with proven health concerns. Just think of the well-known Aspartame (E951).

1. Aspartame is an artificial sweetener that is often used in light products. In particular the products where the claim 'without sugar' is on the label. Cola and Fanta are very good examples of this. Aspartame is believed to cause many ailments, especially in the youth. Just think of bouncing children, ADHD, etc. The flavor enhancer E621 is also very questionable, but I will come back to that later.

2. Aspartame is an artificial sweetener that is often used in “light” products. In particular the products where the claim 'without sugar' is on the label. Cola and Fanta are very good examples of this. Aspartame is believed to cause many ailments, especially in the youth. Just think of bouncing children, ADHD, etc. The flavor enhancer E621 is also very questionable, but I will come back to that later.

1. E-numbers are not necessarily bad, but there are E-numbers that have a very debatable reputation. In most cases these are E numbers that were approved in the early days of the E numbers (now 50 years ago). The system of E numbers has been constantly updated, with new products that had to meet stricter requirements. But the products already approved have never been tested against the new requirements.

2. E-numbers are not necessarily bad, but there are E-numbers that have a very debatable reputation. In most cases these are E numbers that were approved in the early days of the E numbers (now 50 years ago). The E-number system has been constantly updated, with new products that had to meet stricter requirements. But the products already approved have never been tested against the new requirements.

And then the flavor enhancers

1. Flavor enhancers are (chemical) additives that enhance the taste. Sounds logical, but it is a bit more complex than you would expect. For example, it is known that salt also enhances the taste, but because salt is on the penalty bench, alternatives must be sought. If it says on the package that it contains 50% less salt (compared to what?), Then this has most likely been replaced by an E-number to still retain the â € tasteâ € ™.

2. Flavor enhancers are (chemical) additives that enhance the taste. Sounds logical, but it is a bit more complex than you would expect. It is known that, for example, salt also enhances the taste, but because salt is on the penalty bench, alternatives must be sought. If it says on the packaging that it contains 50% less salt (compared to what?), Then this has most likely been replaced by an E-number to preserve the â € tasteâ € ™.

Mono Sodium Glutamate (E621)

1. Flavor enhancers, and in particular Mono Sodium Glutamate (MSG), have a very bad reputation because the symptoms are only now coming to light. In most cases, the harmful consequences do not arise until after puberty, when the body has been exposed to MSG in the preceding period. In these early years, the body is growing, and the development of MSG is hindered. Consider, for example, poor development of the endocrine system in the early years, which can cause many problems later. Due to a malfunctioning hormone system, the MSG therefore indirectly has a great deal of influence on, among other things, the development and functioning of the nervous system, the skin, the eyes, the muscles, the stomach, the respiration and the heart.

1. This can result in an impressive list of problems that only come to light from the end of puberty:

1. But MSG, or E621, isn't the only flavor enhancer that can be harmful to health. There are several flavor enhancers in the same group that are all, to a greater or lesser extent, harmful. Just a list:

What do flavor enhancers do?

1. As mentioned earlier, seasonings, especially MSG, are added to many foods. But what few people know is that it is used a lot in Asian cuisine, especially Chinese cuisine. It is not called MSG, but is referred to as Ve-Tsin. When you ask in a Chinese restaurant if MSG is used in the kitchen, they probably won't say so. But be aware of that, because they inevitably use a lot of soy sauce in the kitchen. And soy sauce is known to contain a lot of MSG.

1. The MSG enhances the taste, but not all flavors. There is little or no effect on, for example, eggs and sweet products. On the other hand, MSG appears to lower the acidity of tomatoes, for example, and can improve the flavor of potatoes, aubergines and onions, for example. Since this is a flavor enhancer, it is therefore no surprise that this is very often used in spice mixes, especially those products that can be used in the preparation of meat and fish. MSG is also often added to ready-to-use products, ie industrial products. Just take a look at the labels and you will notice that there are few products to which no E621, or one of the other flavor enhancers, has been added. And if you have found something, don't be so happy, because the manufacturers are very smart: Because consumers do not want to find the term MSG or E621 in the ingredients list, they sometimes use other names. Names that sound a bit friendlier.

1. For the sake of completeness a list of friendly (er) sounding names, which are all about MSG:

1. So watch out!

MSG and obesity

1. Have you ever wondered why you want to eat that bag of chips, at all costs, completely empty? That's right, those chips are addictive. And that has nothing to do with the chips themselves, but with the MSG that has been added to it. MSG is not only a flavor enhancer, but is also a substance that stimulates appetite. So if you start on that bag of chips, it will whet your appetite and the whole bag will be eaten. But when that bag is empty, you need more. Does not matter what! Do you know that feeling?

1. MSG directly disrupts the so-called endocrine system, the hormone system, which, among other things, regulates the part of the brain that has to do with the feeling of hunger and the feeling of satiety. In other words, your brain tells you to eat, while your body doesn't need it at all.

1. You don't have to be an engineer to understand that this directly contributes to obesity. There are even scientists who argue that if MSG were banned completely, there would be much less obesity. Of course, the presence of MSG is not the only factor in obesity, but it does play an important role in this.

1. Speaking of a ban: You might not expect it, but the Russian government has declared war on obesity and other unhealthy issues related to MSG. For that reason, it has recently been regulated by law that products containing MSG must have a clear warning on the packaging. In addition, there are plans to set up special shelves for these products.

Finally…

1. It is now clear that E621 and the other flavor enhancers deserve extra attention. It will be very difficult to avoid it completely, I have to be realistic about that. And that remains difficult as long as nothing is done by the government. So it is a matter of taking your own responsibility. So always keep checking the labels, but don't forget to bring your glasses: The list of ingredients is getting longer and the print is getting smaller.