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One weekend, Li Hua, an ordinary accountant, was picking up the family's needs in the condiment section of the supermarket.
He frowned, holding a bottle of chicken essence and a bottle of MSG in his hand, clearly making a difficult choice.
At this time, a gentle voice sounded behind him, "Mr. Li, are you struggling with these two? I may be able to help you analyze it." ”
Li Hua turned around and saw Dr. Wang, a veteran doctor at the community hospital, who was not only a skilled doctor, but also a frequent target of residents' health consultations.
"Hello, Dr. Wang, what a coincidence, I didn't expect to meet you here. Yes, I do think about that. ”
"The old people in my family always say that chicken essence is not as safe as MSG, but I always feel that eating too much MSG is not a good thing. What the hell is going on?" asked Li Hua with some confusion.
Dr. Wang smiled, picked up a bottle of chicken essence, and began his explanation: "First of all, we must be clear that the main ingredients of chicken essence and monosodium glutamate are actually not much different. ”
"MSG is mainly composed of monosodium glutamate, and chicken bouillon, in addition to monosodium glutamate, also adds chicken extract and some other things to enhance the flavor. ”
"In terms of chemical composition, their basic effects on the human body are similar. ”
"But when it comes to health, eating more monosodium glutamate for a long time may affect brain function, especially for children and the elderly. ”
"Although it may not be a big deal for the average adult to eat occasionally, it is better to try not to use these chemical condiments and replace them with some natural spices and seasonings. ”
Li Hua listened with relish, and he asked again: "Then do you think there are any benefits to using natural flavors?"
Dr. Wang nodded, "Of course." For example, using lemon peel or coriander to enhance the aroma of food not only reduces dependence on MSG, but also consumes the vitamins and minerals found in these natural ingredients. ”
"This has many benefits for maintaining the health of the nervous system. For example, lemon peel is rich in vitamin C, while the chlorophyllin in coriander helps flush out toxins from the body. ”
Dr. Wang then added to his unique point of view: "In fact, the choice of condiments can also be adjusted according to the individual's health condition. For example, if there is a family history of high blood pressure, it is necessary to reduce sodium intake. ”
In this case, both chicken essence and MSG should be avoided as much as possible, and more potassium-rich ingredients such as celery and coriander should be used to help regulate the body's electrolyte balance. ”
"Oh, that's right. Li Hua seemed to understand a little, "What about people who are in good health?
Dr. Wang shook his head slightly, "Although people in good health may be more tolerant, we should also maintain moderation and choose our diet carefully. ”
"You know, the word 'in moderation' is the most difficult to grasp but extremely important in diet. With too many chemical additives, even healthy people may gradually feel unwell, such as headaches or fatigue, which may be a sign of increased metabolic stress in the body. ”
Dr. Wang continued, "So, I usually recommend that even healthy people should use natural ingredients as a supplement, supplemented by chemical condiments. For example, you can use some unprocessed kelp and mushrooms to enhance the umami flavor of food, which is rich in natural glutamate, a natural component of MSG, and also provides rich trace elements and dietary fiber. ”
Li Hua felt very curious after hearing this, he had never considered the issue of condiments from such an angle, "Then Doctor Wang, can these natural ingredients you just mentioned completely replace MSG and chicken essence?"
"Theoretically, it's possible," Dr. Wang explains, "but in practice, it may be difficult to completely replace it because of people's taste habits and food preparation time constraints." The key is to find a balance that minimizes unnecessary chemical additions while also satisfying taste needs. ”
He continued, "For example, a little bit of MSG can bring out the flavor of the ingredients when cooking some traditional dishes, but you can try other seasoning methods, such as soy sauce, sugar and garlic, which are healthier options." ”
During the conversation, the more Li Hua listened, the more he felt that it made sense, and he decided to try the method recommended by Dr. Wang in his home cooking in the future. Suddenly, he thought of his little nephew's question again, "Doctor Wang, my little nephew is only five years old this year, can he use some chicken essence? I heard that it is not good for children to eat MSG." ”
Dr. Wang nodded, "For children, their nervous system is still developing, and it is true that MSG and chicken essence should be avoided as much as possible. ”
"If you need to be flavored, I recommend using a very small amount of kelp powder or mushroom powder, which are natural condiments that provide umami to food without harming your health. In fact, in order to ensure balanced nutrition, the food given to children should pay more attention to the original taste and nutrition of the ingredients, and try to be simple and natural. ”
Lai Hua was greatly relieved to hear this, thanked Dr. Wong for his advice, and decided to replan his family's diet. A chance encounter in the supermarket benefited him a lot.
Since that day, there have been many natural spices and fresh ingredients on the table of Li Hua's family, and there are many traces of chemical condiments.
What do you think about how to choose MSG and chicken essence? Welcome to discuss in the comment area!