‘Umami’- The Fifth Taste Sense of Ajinomoto Persuades to Eat Fast Food

Monosodium glutamate (MSG), also referred to as Ajinomoto, is a flavor enhancer that creates a distinct, fifth taste known as “Umami.” It contains an excitatory neurotransmitter, which encourages frequent consumption of fast food which is not good for health.

These observations were made by Prof N.S. Verma, HoD, physiology, KGMU. (1^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Dietary composition modulates impact of food-added monosodium glutamate on behaviour, metabolic status and cerebral cortical morphology in mice

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“Umami”- The Fifth Taste Sense – Entices You to Eat Fast Food

This explains why you feel the urge to eat fast food when passing their stalls but there is no such urge while fruit carts or shops selling fruit juices. “Food with MSG should be a big no for all but unfortunately this is not happening,” said Prof Verma. Doctors said that if people want to eat different dishes they should try and cook them at home and avoid eating street food.

“The habit of eating food under the influence of an excitatory neurotransmitter can make people ill,” said Prof Manish Bajpai, a senior medical expert. The topic is being discussed at the ongoing national conference of physiology. Prof Verma said that 300 experts will participate in the event which will have 150 speaker sessions and six symposia on various topics.