A Study on the Awareness and Perceptions Regarding Monosodium Glutamate and its Potential Health Effects Amongst the Urban Population of Saudi Arabia

Introduction Monosodium glutamate (MSG), a common global food additive in processed foods, influences flavors and textures due to its chemical complexity and nutritional intricacy. Despite an annual production of 1.9 million tons and historical safety concerns, the multifaceted impact on health, ran...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Curēus (Palo Alto, CA) Vol. 15; no. 12; p. e51094
Main Authors:	Sheriff, Sr, Muazzam M, Abusabah, Hanin H, Sindi, Heba B, Alaidrous, Alanoud O, Moemen, Abdelmalik H, Alshalawi, Shahad F, Alshalawi, Bayan F, Aljaoser, Nooraa Y, Alghamdi, Lama K, Badri, Razan M, Gadi, Layan A, Alotaibi, Safaa D, Alharbi, Ghada H, Aljadani, Sr, Nawaf M
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	United States Cureus Inc 25-12-2023 Cureus
Subjects:	Alzheimer's disease Bilingualism Blood pressure Decision making Diabetes Family/General Practice Food additives Hypertension Metabolic disorders Nutrition Population Public Health Questionnaires Research design Sodium Toxicity Saudi Arabia cardio vascular disease saudi arabia chinese salt urban population p-value fast food consumption cross section study monosodium glutamate (msg) public health and safety intricacies
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Summary:	Introduction Monosodium glutamate (MSG), a common global food additive in processed foods, influences flavors and textures due to its chemical complexity and nutritional intricacy. Despite an annual production of 1.9 million tons and historical safety concerns, the multifaceted impact on health, ranging from metabolic disorders to neurological and cardiovascular implications, necessitates ongoing research for informed consumption and balanced dietary practices. Materials and methods This cross-sectional study investigates MSG-associated intricacies among Saudi Arabia's urban population. The research included questionnaire development, translation, and cultural adaptation, and was validated by nutrition experts. A sample size of 420 was calculated for a 95% confidence level. Data collection occurred from September 13 to October 31, 2023, and ethical considerations were ensured. Statistical analysis, including chi-square tests, regression analysis, and SPSS, explored intricacy relationships. Results The MSG intricacy study in Saudi Arabia's urban population, involving 420 respondents, showed statistically significant correlations (P < 0.05) in demographics. The key findings indicate an awareness of the impact of MSG on health, its associations with various conditions, and strong support for its exclusion from foods. Region, gender, age, and social status correlations highlighted diverse perspectives. The Western province showed the highest response rate at 42.61%, prompting regional awareness questions. Gender dynamics showed that 90.47% of the respondents were females, emphasizing potential gender-specific concerns. Concentration among ages 20-30 (61.9%) underscored generational factors. While commendable baseline awareness was noted, 73.09% of the participants believing MSG is harmful prompts further investigation. Emotional responses, including happiness (25.95%) and frustration (18.33%), highlight the complexity of the individuals' experiences, emphasizing the need for tailored communication strategies. Conclusion The MSG intricacy study in Saudi Arabia's urban population reveals insights into knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors, emphasizing the need for nuanced interventions considering regional and emotional differences. The findings underscore health concerns, supporting regulations, and knowledge impact on behavior. This survey serves as a valuable tool for informed public discourse and decision-making in the unique socio-cultural context of urban Saudi Arabia.
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23
ISSN:	2168-8184 2168-8184
DOI:	10.7759/cureus.51094