Effects of Monosodium Glutamate on Energy Balance and Eating Behavior

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Obesity; Weight Gain; Food Preferences
• Interventions: Other: Broth

• Registration Number: NCT01410838
• Lead Sponsor: USDA, Western Human Nutrition Research Center

Brief Summary

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.

Detailed Description

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

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2011-08
• Study First Submitted: 2011-08-03
• Study First Submitted QC: 2011-08-04
• Study First Posted: 2011-08-05
• Status Verified: 2014-08
• Primary Completion: 2014-08
• Study Completion: 2014-08
• Last Update Submitted: 2015-05-19
• Last Update Posted: 2015-05-21

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: Female
• Target Recruitment: 44

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

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Broth- MSG	Broth	MSG containing broth with the same sodium content as the placebo comparator.
Broth- NaCl	Broth	Sodium chloride containing broth matched for sodium content to the MSG broth

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in body weight	weeks 11, 12, and 25	Subjects will have their body weight measured to determine the effect of MSG on body weight regain following weight loss.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in eating behavior	weeks 11, 12 and 25	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.
Change in body fat	weeks 11 and 25	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.
Change in resting energy expenditure	weeks 11, 12, and 25	The effect of MSG on resting energy expenditure will be measured using respiratory gas exchange using a metabolic cart system.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Western Human Nutrition Center, University of California Davis; 🇺🇸 Davis, California, United States