別再誤傳了，還味精一個清白

The myth that monosodium glutamate (MSG) is somehow bad for you is one of those food misconceptions that just. Won't. Die.

味精(MSG)在某種程度上對你有害的觀念是食物誤解之一。不會死的。

Objections to this chemical range from the vague, arm-waving "unhealthy" label all the way to it being a damaging neurotoxin that makes you addicted to fast food.

對這種化學物質的反對聲音從模糊的、揮舞手臂的“不健康”標簽，一直到它是一種會讓你對快餐上癮的破壞性的神經(jīng)毒素。

It seems that no matter how many times experts communicate the truth about this harmless food additive, you'll still find plenty of savoury snacks and instant ramen in your local grocery store boasting their "MSG-free" status.

看來，無論專家們多少次傳達這種無害食品添加劑的真相，你仍然會在當?shù)氐碾s貨店發(fā)現(xiàn)大量的美味小吃和方便面，夸耀他們的“無味精”地位。

Which is why even in 2019, the latest YouTube video released by Canadian dietitian Abbey Sharp is as relevant as ever. In less than 15 minutes, she breaks down a bunch of total nonsense about MSG, explaining the science in a simple, engaging manner.

這就是為什么即使在2019年，加拿大營養(yǎng)師阿比·夏普(Abbey Sharp)發(fā)布的最新YouTube視頻也一如既往地具有相關性。在不到15分鐘的時間里，她就打破了一堆關于味精的胡說八道，用一種簡單、引人入勝的方式解釋了這門科學。

Sharp's video is actually a response to a 2008 viral video "The Truth about MSG", in which chiropractor and nutritionist Vincent Bellonzi makes a series of scientific-sounding claims on how MSG is a toxin that "excites the reward system", makes people fat and unable to control their emotions, and much more.

夏普的視頻實際上是對2008個病毒視頻“味精的真相”的回應，其中脊椎按摩師和營養(yǎng)師Vincent Bellonzi對MSG是一種“刺激獎勵系統(tǒng)”的毒素進行了一系列科學的闡述，使人們變得肥胖，無法控制自己的情緒，等等。

As a quick recap, here's what you need to know about MSG. Naturally occurring in many protein-rich foods is glutamic acid, a chemical widely used by living organisms to make proteins in the body.

簡單回顧一下，以下是關于味精你需要知道的。天然存在于許多富含蛋白質的食物中的是谷氨酸，一種被生物體廣泛用于體內制造蛋白質的化學物質。

When you dissolve this acid or one of its salts in water, you end up with negative ions called glutamates, responsible for that savoury umami flavour. Classic examples of naturally glutamate-rich foods are canned tomatoes, soy sauce, and aged cheese.

當你把這種酸或它的一種鹽溶解在水里，你會得到一種叫做谷氨酸鹽的負離子，它是產(chǎn)生鮮味的原因。天然富含谷氨酸的典型食物有罐裝西紅柿、醬油和陳年奶酪。

MSG attackers will claim it's not the same as the 'natural' stuff, but this is false: when dissolved, on a chemical level the flavour-enhancing action of MSG is exactly the same as that of the 'natural' glutamate in, say, tomato sauce.

味精攻擊者會聲稱它與“天然”物質不一樣，但這是錯誤的：在化學水平上，味精的增味作用與番茄醬中的“天然”谷氨酸完全相同。

Other nonsense levelled at MSG involves claims that it messes with your brain chemistry. While glutamate is a neurotransmitter, just because you eat it doesn't mean it will go straight to your brain.

其他針對味精的無稽之談包括它會擾亂你大腦的化學物質。雖然谷氨酸是一種神經(jīng)遞質，但僅僅因為你吃了它并不意味著它會直接進入你的大腦。

In fact, if you sprinkle a little bit of MSG on the food you make at home, you might be able to cut back on your salt intake - something worth considering if you're worried about your sodium consumption.

事實上，如果你在家里做的食物上撒一點味精，你可能還會減少鹽的攝入量——如果你擔心你的鈉攝入量的話，這是非常值得考慮的。