Micin can indeed make the taste of the food you consume become more savory and delicious. Even so, you need to limit its consumption, because if consumed in excess, micin can have a bad impact on health.
As with salt and pepper, the use of micin or MSG (monosodium glutamate) as a food flavoring is actually safe. However, you are advised not to consume more than 1.7 grams of micin per day so that the side effects or bad effects of consuming micin can be avoided.
Recognizing the content of micin in food
Micin can naturally be found in foods that are high in protein. Some foods that contain natural micin are:
- Beef
- Seaweed
- Soy sauce
- Parmesan cheese
- Tomato
Besides being known as MSG, micin also has several other names, namely:sodium glutamate, monosodium L-glutamate monohydrate, glutamic acid monosodium salt monohydrate, yeast extract, hydrolyzed vegetable protein or HVP, potassium glutamate, sodium caseinate, and natural flavours. So, if these names are listed on the label of the food you buy, then the food contains micin in it.
Some types of food that generally contain micin are processed or packaged foods, such as dried meat, meat extract, packaged poultry broth, and starch. Other foods such as potato chips, gravy, mayonnaise, and frozen foods generally also contain micin.
Negative Impact of Excessive Micin Use
Consumption of micin with a dose of 0.5-1.7 grams per day generally does not cause side effects. However, it is different if you consume micin in excess. Several reports and studies claim that excessive micin use can have negative health effects, such as:
1. Chinese restaurant syndrome
This condition can occur when you consume micin more than 3 grams per day. Symptoms of this syndrome vary, including headache, numbness, redness, tingling, palpitations, chest pain, nausea, weakness, fatigue, and drowsiness.
Symptoms that appear can be mild to severe, but people who are sensitive to micin or MSG may experience more severe symptoms when exposed Chinese restaurant syndrome.
2. Nerve cell damage
A number of studies suggest that glutamate in high doses of MSG can act as a poison that causes nerve cell damage. In fact, it is also mentioned that MSG can cause impaired brain function and damage to various organs.
A number of diseases have been linked to nerve damage due to excess consumption of MSG, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and stroke.
3. Asthma
Other studies have also shown that consuming micin in excess can cause asthma, especially for those who are sensitive to MSG. The number of doses that can trigger asthma is as much as 3 grams in one meal.
4. Obesity and overweight
Excessive consumption of micin is also believed to cause obesity or overweight. However, this study needs to be investigated further because there are other studies which state that micin can cause fuller effects for longer and can help maintain weight.
5. Headaches and hypertension
Long-term consumption of micin is also believed to cause an increase in blood pressure. Some people who are sensitive to micin will also experience the effects of headaches after consuming it. However, the exact cause of this is not known.
6. Cell damage
A number of researchers also claim that MSG can damage cells and genetic material. This micin effect is predicted to damage lymphocytes or white blood cells. However, this still needs to be investigated further.
7. Kidney damage and depression
Other studies have shown that long-term consumption of micin can cause kidney damage and depressive symptoms due to a decrease in serotonin, a signal in the brain that affects mood and emotions.
It should be underlined, all the side effects or adverse effects of excessive micin consumption still need to be investigated further. However, all that is consumed in excess is not good. So, it never hurts to limit the consumption of micin to minimize the risk of health problems.
Consumption of micin within reasonable limits is still considered safe, so you don't have to worry. Even so, for people who have allergies to micin or MSG, you should avoid consuming foods that contain these ingredients.
If you have a medical condition that requires you to limit certain types of food, you should consult with your doctor to find out if you can eat foods that contain micin and how much micin you can consume.