±«±·´¡±õ¸éÌý±··¡°Â³§“ It is difficult to avoid the food preparation containing Monosodium glutamate, or more familiarly called micin or vetsin.It worries some parents about the children™ food.How should we react?
Actually, MSG is not only in flavor essence.Some natural ingredients that we usually consume actually contain MSG such as tomatoes, cheese, milk, chicken, duck, meat, mackerel, salmon, eggs, fish, spinach, potatoes, corn, broccoli, soy sauce, even pandan leaves.
As we know, MSG is useful as a flavor enhancer in food, increasing our appetite.Then how to introduce a savory taste that is safe for children?
According to the pediatrician FK -Dr. Soetomo Hospital Dr.Irwanto dr., Sp.A (K), the introduction of savory taste through Complementary Foods of Breastfeeding (MPASI) can actually done by utilizing the content of glutamate from natural ingredients such as from vegetables and other natural ingredients.Savory chicken broth and meat broth can be used in preparing MPASI.
“Six-month-old baby can be introduced slowly with a savory taste of MPASI.This method is effective so the children know the taste inexcessively and limited, “said the award-winningGlobal Travel AwardbyBill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) allow the use of MSG, the level of usage should still be limited according to the rules except for people who are known to be allergic, it is necessary for them to avoid MSG.
Actually the use of salt is more popular before MSG.In 1996, WHO allowed the use of MSG to reduce the salt intake rate that was known to be quite high at the time.
“It used to be a lot of salt consumed, consequently many people had hypertension.To avoid that, WHO then allows MSG to be used as a flavor enhancer.That’s the truth, “he said.
Speaking of salt and MSG, it seems difficult to curb the indulgence of our community’s tongue that tends to enjoy the taste of delicious cuisine.In fact, salt is more dangerous than vetsin.Because MSG is known to contain 30 percent less sodium compared to salt.Unfortunately few of us are aware of it.
Mistakes on how to cook greatly affect the amount of salt use.For that, Irwanto suggested that salt should be done after all the cooking process ends.
“So during the cooking do not give salt first, later after it is ready, salt can be addded.It’s the safest way.We can correct the taste and the salt consumption will also be under control, “he said.
The controversy over the use of MSG has actually taken place around the 1960s.At that time, theNew England Journal of Medicinerevealed a complaint-related report from a group of people who complained of dizziness and vomiting after eating at achinese food restaurant.
From the report, circa 1970 a number of researchers began to developchinese food syndromeresearch.Two human groups were tested.Some eat MSG food, others do not.Apparently, the group who ate MSG food had a pharyngitis or a throat disorder, while others did not complain of any symptoms.After further tracing, it turned out the pharyngitis was due to allergic effects on MSG.
The Food and Drug Administration(FDA) affirmed that the allergic reactions experienced are not caused by MSG.All depends on the level of body sensitivity.
“Because everyone’s sensitivity is different, there are people who are allergic to MSG, some are not, “he said.
To ensure the impact of the use of MSG, the study then continued in experimental animals.As a result, administering MSG in animals leads tofewerchanges in theprefrontal cortexandneurons are lesser.These conditions also trigger neurodegenerative.
The researchers agreed that the administration of MSG in animals affects nerve cells and caused changes in the cortex associated with cognitive function.
Irwanto emphasized, the provision of MSG in experimental animals was proven to bring toxic effects.Because the sample exposed to a higher dose MSG than the usual human consumption.But experimental results in animals have not been able to reinforce the notion that MSG effects are equally dangerous if it is consumed by humans.
So far, research around MSG is still limited to the animal trials, and no one has applied it to humans.There has been no case report that urges researchers to conduct further research.
“So far observations have only found the form of dizziness, vomiting as the effect ofchinese food syndrome.And it happens because of allergies, “he said. “So far observations have only found in the form of complaints of dizziness and vomiting as an effect ofchinese food syndrome.And it happens because of allergies, “said the best graduates UNAIR in 2013.
Based on a recent research by Staging at University of Iowa concluded that MSG has no impact on children who have hyperactivity or other behavioral disorders.(*)
Author: Sefya Hayu Istighfaricha
Editor: Binti Q. Masruroh
