The phenomenon is known to all. You are caught by the desire to munch two chips and here is the package is over in a moment. For what reason? Flavor enhancers stimulate appetite and inhibit the sense of satiety.
As the name implies, flavor enhancers are substances that intensify the flavor or fragrance of foods. It is not about spices but of natural or artificial substances which, although they have no taste, have the property of enhancing the taste of a particular food. With their action, they can, therefore, increase our sense of hunger and, consequently, make us eat more. The best-known flavor enhancer is glutamate, which falls into the category of natural additives and is naturally produced by the body. It is an important messenger substance responsible for the metabolism of brain cells. The body uses it, among other things, also for the transmission of pain, memory, body growth, body weight regulation and appetite control.
What to pay attention to
The Swiss Nutrition Society, (SSN), indicates flavor enhancers in the additive category and marks them with numbers preceded by the initials E (E620-625). Glutamate (E621) is mainly contained in powdered condiments such as Aromatic, canned foods, frozen foods and prepared dishes, potato chips and other snacks, ready-to-use soups and sauces, salad dressings and sausages. Yet the presence of this additive in the list of food ingredients is hardly identifiable because the producers are free to decide whether or not to use the abbreviations E or to use more generic terms. Often flavor enhancers hide behind indications such as yeast extract, seasoning, tomato powder, whey concentrate or generically flavored. On the other hand,
Tasty alternatives
Cook with fresh ingredients instead of heating canned foods or prepared dishes, because unprocessed foods contain less glutamate than ready products. To flavor, the dishes used natural spices and fresh herbs because they give a more intense flavor and guarantee a sufficient seasoning. Before serving, you can make your dishes even more appetizing by accompanying them with a little 'cream or a glass of wine.