Starting a meal with a tantalizing appetizer might aid in selecting healthier food options.
Since time immemorial, we've known that our tongues can detect five basic tastes: sweet, salty, bitter, sour, and umami, the latter being also known as the savory taste. First identified by Japanese chemist Kikunae Ikeda in 1908, umami is the taste caused by glutamic acid – an amino acid naturally found in numerous foods.
Several studies have suggested that umami-rich foods, such as those enhanced with monosodium glutamate (MSG), could influence our eating habits, promoting healthier choices. Intrigued by these findings, researchers at Harvard Medical School set out to investigate the effects of umami foods on the brain.
They designed a study focusing on healthy young women, considering the potential impact of added MSG on dietary choices. During a buffet meal, the participants were given either an MSG-enriched chicken broth (1.44g) or a regular broth. The scientists then measured the participants' inhibitory control, eye movements, and brain activity after consuming the broth, while they made choices about what to eat next.
The results showed that those who had consumed the umami broth displayed better inhibitory control, their gaze stayed more focused during the meal, and they had increased activity in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, a brain region associated with decision-making.
Interestingly, among the cohort who had the MSG-enriched broth, women at higher risk of obesity actually opted for foods with less saturated fat throughout their meal.
While this study suggests that umami-rich foods might help facilitate healthy eating and healthier food choices, especially for those at high risk of obesity, more research is needed to confirm these findings. Future studies should examine the cumulative effects of umami foods over time, and explore whether they can aid weight loss or adherence to healthier diets.
Despite some early concerns, there is no strong scientific evidence that MSG, when consumed at typical dietary levels, negatively affects the brain or causes adverse health effects such as obesity. MSG is generally recognized as safe by regulatory agencies worldwide, and it is widely used for flavor enhancement in a variety of populations.
Ultimately, consuming umami-rich foods could make healthy eating more enjoyable, supporting adherence to balanced diets, and potentially improving overall health outcomes. Further research should investigate the mechanisms behind these effects and their potential benefits for specific population groups.
- Researchers found that those who consumed the umami broth exhibited better inhibitory control and more focused gaze during the meal.
- Women who were at higher risk of obesity chose foods with less saturated fat after consuming the MSG-enriched broth.
- Umami-rich foods, including those enhanced with MSG, may help facilitate healthier eating and food choices, particularly for individuals at high risk of obesity.
- The study's findings suggest that umami foods could support adherence to balanced diets and potentially improve overall health outcomes.
- Despite initial concerns, there is no strong scientific evidence that MSG, when consumed at typical dietary levels, negatively affects the brain or causes adverse health effects like obesity.
