Is flavor enhancer E621 really that harmful?

1. E-numbers and other additions often make a lot of fuss. In some cases this is justified, in other cases it is plain nonsense. Also completely natural ingredients sometimes have an E number; you can no longer call that artificial.

2. E-numbers and other additions often make a lot of fuss. In some cases this is justified, in others it is plain nonsense. Also completely natural ingredients sometimes have an E number; you can no longer call that artificial.

1. And then there are the E-numbers that have been the subject of huge discussions for decades. E621, also known as MSG or the flavor enhancer, is one of them.

1. According to some it is completely harmless, according to others it is responsible for cancer, brain diseases and many other scary conditions. Then what can you believe? And should you avoid E621 completely or not? Below we put together as many answers as possible about this flavor enhancer.

2. According to some it is completely harmless, according to others it is responsible for cancer, brain diseases and many other scary conditions. Then what can you believe? And should you avoid E621 completely or not? Below we have put together as many answers as possible about this flavor enhancer.

What is E621?

1. E621 has been known for a long time, especially in Asia, under the slightly more catchy name ve-tsin. In the Western world it is often referred to as MSG, short for “mono sodium glutamate” or monosodium glutamate. Whatever you call it, the usage is usually the same: E621 is added to food to enhance the taste.

1. This is possible because the substance itself has the so-called â € ˜umamiâ € ™ taste: the fifth main taste next to sweet, salty, sour and bitter. E621 thus enhances especially salty and slightly sweet flavors. It makes savory food taste more intense, all in all. Traditionally it is not used in Western cuisine, but the food industry makes full use of it!

Complaints about E621

1. Now of course it does not necessarily have to be a problem if a substance is often used by industry. The disadvantage of E621, however, is that it contains a huge amount of complaints about unhealthy side effects. The exact consequences of the stuff differ from person to person. Some people get headaches or migraines, feel dizzy, tired, or depressed.

2. Of course it does not have to be a problem if a substance is often used by industry. The disadvantage of E621, however, is that it has a huge amount of complaints about unhealthy side effects. The exact consequences of the stuff differ from person to person. Some people get headaches or migraines, feel dizzy, tired or depressed.

1. Others get palpitations and sweat excessively from the consumption of E621. In asthmatics, the stuff can sometimes lead to an intensification of symptoms. Abdominal cramps and diarrhea are also possible. That doesn't sound like E621 really does your health much good.

2. Others get palpitations and sweat excessively from the consumption of E621. In asthmatics, the stuff can sometimes lead to an intensification of symptoms. Abdominal cramps and diarrhea are also possible. That doesn't sound like E621 is really doing your health much good.

Science about E621

1. Still, the scientific consensus on E621 is that it is safe in normal servings. And as you would expect from such a sensitive topic, quite a lot of research has been done on it! That automatically means that there are a few that seem to indicate problems. The majority, however, indicate that E621 poses no problems.

2. Still, the scientific consensus on E621 is that it is safe in normal servings. And as you would expect from such a sensitive topic, quite a lot of research has been done on it! That automatically means that there are a few that seem to indicate problems. The majority, however, indicate that E621 does not cause any problems.

1. What do we make of that? Of course it is easy to say that the health industry is corrupt and paid for by the food producers. Certainly not every research into E621 has been funded in this way. What are we to do with a remedy that on the one hand is often complained about, but on the other hand has been found to be safe by all authorities?

2. What do we make of that? Of course it is easy to say that the health industry is corrupt and paid for by the food producers. Certainly not every research into E621 has been funded in this way. What are we to do with a remedy that is complained about a lot on the one hand, but on the other hand has been found to be safe by all authorities?

E621 in nature

1. Let's take a closer look at the nature of the stuff first. E621 also exists in a less concentrated form outside the laboratories! As mentioned, it is a monosodium glutamate: in other words, a substance consisting of sodium and glutamate. Sodium is just salt. Glutamate is a collective name for a number of different salts that your body naturally needs.

2. Let's take a closer look at the nature of the stuff first. E621 also exists in less concentrated form outside the laboratories! As mentioned, it is a monosodium glutamate: in other words, a substance consisting of sodium and glutamate. Sodium is just salt. Glutamate is a collective name for a number of different salts that your body naturally needs.

1. They act as neurotransmitters in the brain, stimulating the entire nervous system. In nature, these salts are also found in meat, fish, mushrooms, yeast and lovage (that herb that tastes like maggi). We just like glutamate there, just because our brains need it.

Every person is different!

1. How is it possible that so many complaints are associated with E621? Simple: although the remedy is not naturally problematic, as MSG it is of course heavily concentrated. And when it's put into all kinds of different products, it's easy to get too much of it.