What Is Glutamate and Is It Good or Bad for You?

— Please Note: This article is presented for informational purposes only and is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness. If you have any health concern, see a licensed healthcare professional in person. You’ve probably heard all the warnings about monosodium glutamate (MSG), but it’s not quite the same thing as the glutamate that’s naturally produced in our bodies. That said, too much of it—via forms like MSG—may come with some unwanted side effects. Here, we break down what glutamate is and why we need it, how it relates to MSG, and if you might be consuming too much of it. What is Glutamate? Glutamate (or glutamic acid) is one of the most abundant amino acids in the human body, and the most abundant neurotransmitter (chemical messengers that help cells communicate) in the brain. It’s a non-essential amino acid, meaning our bodies are able to produce enough of it on their own. However, you can consume glutamate through a variety of foods. Which Foods Contain Glutamate? Foods naturally rich in glutamate are typically (but not always) high in protein, including: Meat Poultry Cheese Eggs Mushrooms Soy and soy sauce Tomatoes Grapes Fish sauce Broccoli Peas Walnuts Bone broths Glutamate is also the main amino acid found in human breast milk, which points to its significance for brain development in infants ( 1 ). Other foods, especially processed foods, contain a synthetic version called monosodium glutamate (MSG). We’ll get more into the controversy around MSG later. What Does It Do? As an amino acid, glutamate is used to build proteins, but it has another important job as a neurotransmitter. Glutamate is mostly concentrated in the brain and central nervous system, and functions as an “excitatory” neurotransmitter. Just as it sounds, an excitatory neurotransmitter “excites” or stimulates cells. Glutamate sends […]

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