Is it a big deal to eat MSG during pregnancy? What are the effects of eating MSG during pregnancy?

We all know that MSG is a common condiment that can enhance the flavor of food. Many people add MSG when cooking, especially in restaurants and other places. Although MSG has a good cooking effect, not everyone can eat it. So can you eat MSG after pregnancy? Let's take a closer look!

Can I eat MSG when I am pregnant?

It is best not to eat MSG during pregnancy.

1. The main ingredient of MSG is monosodium glutamate. After entering the human body and being digested, monosodium glutamate will produce glutamate. If too much is consumed at one time, it will interfere with the normal functioning of the nervous system.

2. People with sensitive constitutions may experience dizziness, headache, drowsiness, muscle cramps, etc. after consuming excessive amounts of MSG, and in severe cases may even induce anxiety.

3. Excessive intake of MSG by pregnant mothers will increase the content of sodium glutamate in the blood, which will inhibit the body's utilization of calcium, magnesium and copper. It will also combine with zinc in the pregnant woman's body to form glutamic zinc that cannot be absorbed by the body and is excreted with urine, causing zinc deficiency in pregnant mothers.

Therefore, pregnant women should abstain from MSG or consume it in small amounts. Chicken essence also contains a lot of MSG, so it should be avoided as much as possible.

What happens if you eat MSG during pregnancy?

MSG may cause unnecessary harm to pregnant women:

1. It may cause gestational hypertension

MSG contains high sodium ions. Excessive absorption of sodium ions by the body may lead to high blood pressure, edema during pregnancy and other diseases. Therefore, excessive MSG and salt are harmful to pregnant women. Excessive absorption of sodium by the fetus may affect the intellectual development of the fetus.

2. It is easy to affect the absorption of calcium, magnesium, zinc, etc.

When sodium glutamate is taken in too much, it will hinder the absorption of calcium and magnesium. Once people lack calcium and magnesium, they will feel headache, rapid heartbeat, nausea and other symptoms, and it will also have adverse effects on the reproductive system; glutamate cannot be absorbed and utilized by the human body after combining with zinc in the blood, which will indirectly lead to zinc deficiency in the human body. The consequences of zinc deficiency in the fetus are mental retardation, night blindness, late puberty and adult dwarfism.

3. Harmful substances are easily produced after high temperature

Monosodium glutamate will produce pyroglutamate when heated at high temperature. Some studies have shown that it may be carcinogenic and is not beneficial to the human body.

4. Unproven possible harm

Excessive use of MSG is also believed to cause: damage to the retina, resulting in decreased vision; inhibition of nerve function, thus affecting children's development, etc.

Can't eat MSG during pregnancy? What can I use instead?

The main reason why pregnant mothers consume MSG is to increase the freshness of food and make it delicious.

If pregnant mothers want to eat delicious food, they can use mushrooms, prawns and other delicious foods to make soup to increase the freshness of the food.

Therefore, if pregnant mothers want to eat some delicious food, they can use mushrooms, native chickens and other ingredients that have a fragrant taste to make soup, instead of simply relying on MSG to enhance the flavor for the sake of pursuing taste enjoyment.

Use seafood, dried seafood such as dried shrimps and shellfish, grind them into powder and use them as MSG.

White sugar: Adding an appropriate amount of white sugar when cooking can also increase the freshness of the dishes.

In addition, in order to avoid excessive intake of MSG, new mothers should not eat out or order takeout. Generally speaking, food outside is high in oil, salt, and seasonings.