Effects of Monosodium Glutamate on Energy Balance and Eating Behavior

USDA, Western Human Nutrition Research Center44 enrolled

Overview

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.

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

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

DOUBLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Obesity Weight Gain Food Preferences

Interventions

BrothOTHER

200 mL of sodium chloride containing broth, consumed three times per day

BrothOTHER

200 mL of MSG containing broth consumed three times per day

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin age: 19 YearsMax age: 50 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

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

Locations (1)

Western Human Nutrition Center, University of California Davis

Davis, California, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change in body weight

Subjects will have their body weight measured to determine the effect of MSG on body weight regain following weight loss.

Time frame: weeks 11, 12, and 25

Secondary Outcomes

Change in body fat

Volunteers will have their body fat measured by DEXA (Dual X-ray Absorptiometry) to determine the effect of MSG on body fat regain following weight loss.

Time frame: weeks 11 and 25

Change in eating behavior

The effect of MSG on eating behavior will be measured using questionnaires, sensory evaluation testing, stress responsivity, and liking and wanting tests, and appetite assessments.

Time frame: weeks 11, 12 and 25

Change in resting energy expenditure

The effect of MSG on resting energy expenditure will be measured using respiratory gas exchange using a metabolic cart system.

Time frame: weeks 11, 12, and 25

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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