How does MSG enhance the flavor of whatever it is added to?
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You have specific receptors on your taste buds that send signals to your brain via things like g protein coupled receptors. There are a bunch of different receptors for different things in cells, and on your taste cells there are receptors specifically for glutamate (MSG is monosodium glutamate). These receptors will activate when in contact with glutamate and will release a more signals to other receptors that release the pleasure chemicals like serotonin before the signal for the taste is even sent to your brain. Basically, you get more satisfaction out of eating MSG.
Anyone feel free to correct me, I’m still in my undergrad but after reading a little bit of an NCBI article I think that’s an easy way of understanding it.
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