Effects of Monosodium Glutamate on Energy Balance and Eating Behavior

USDA, Western Human Nutrition Research Center

Status: Completed

Conditions: Weight Gain; Obesity; Food Preferences

Treatments: Other: Broth

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other U.S. Federal agency; Industry

Identifiers

NCT01410838

WHNRC 222718-2

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study will test whether regular consumption of Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) immediately prior to each of the three major meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) inhibits body weight and fat regain following a period of moderate, yet clinically significant weight loss.

Full description

The proposed study enables us to assess the long term effects of consuming MSG on body weight regain following weight loss.

Enrollment: 44 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 19 to 50 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Women
• Age 19-45
• BMI 27-35
• Blood pressure <140/90
• Non-smoking

Exclusion criteria

• Anemic: hgb < 11.5 mg/dL
• Sensitivity to MSG (self reported)
• Pregnant or planning to get pregnant
• Taking medication for hypertension, depression, or weight loss
• Diabetic
• Vegetarian
• MRI Contraindications: internal metal, braces on teeth, history of metal in the eye, claustrophobia
• blindness or heavily corrected vision
• not fluent in English

Trial design

Primary purpose: Basic Science

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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44 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

Broth- NaCl

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

Sodium chloride containing broth matched for sodium content to the MSG broth

Treatment:

Other: Broth

Other: Broth

Broth- MSG

Active Comparator group

Description:

MSG containing broth with the same sodium content as the placebo comparator.

Treatment:

Other: Broth

Other: Broth