11 Nov 2019 --- Glutamates such as monosodium glutamate (MSG) can be used to reduce sodium in the food supply by up to 7-8 percent, according to new research published in Nutrients. The study analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to examine what US consumers eat and estimated the potential sodium reduction if glutamates are used as a partial replacement in certain food categories. Most Americans have dietary sodium intakes that far exceed recommendations, the researchers note and given the association of high sodium with hypertension, strategies to reduce sodium intakes are an important public health target. In this context, glutamates, such as MSG, represent a potential means to reduce overall intakes while preserving food palatability.
