Sodium Glutamate

Sodium glutamate, commonly known as **monosodium glutamate (MSG)**, is widely used as a flavor enhancer in various foods. It enhances the savory, umami taste of food, which is one of the five basic tastes (along with sweet, sour, bitter, and salty). Here’s how it’s typically used:

### 1. **Culinary Uses**
   - **Food Seasoning:** MSG is commonly added to processed foods, soups, sauces, and snacks to boost flavor.
   - **Restaurant Dishes:** It's often used in Asian cuisines, such as Chinese, Japanese, and Korean, to enrich the umami taste of dishes like stir-fries, soups, and broths.
   - **Prepared Meals:** Many ready-made or frozen meals include MSG to enhance taste.

### 2. **Industrial Uses**
   - **Food Manufacturing:** MSG is frequently used in the food industry, particularly in products like canned vegetables, soups, processed meats, and snacks like potato chips.
   - **Low-Sodium Products:** Since MSG can enhance flavor without increasing the sodium content significantly, it's used as a partial substitute for salt in low-sodium products.

### 3. **Safety and Controversy**
   - **Approved by Health Organizations:** The U.S. FDA and other global regulatory bodies regard MSG as generally safe for consumption when used in moderate amounts.
   - **"Chinese Restaurant Syndrome" Myth:** There was past concern about a condition called "Chinese Restaurant Syndrome," where people reported headaches and other symptoms after consuming MSG-rich food. However, extensive studies have shown that MSG is safe for most people when consumed in normal amounts.

MSG should be used in moderation to avoid overwhelming the natural flavors of the food.