Glutamic acid facts for kids

Glutamic acid is a natural chemical that's super important for your body! It's a type of building block called an amino acid. Think of amino acids as the tiny LEGO bricks that make up proteins in your body.

The chemicals related to glutamic acid are called glutamates. These glutamates are like messengers in your brain, helping your brain cells talk to each other. They play a big role in how you learn, remember things, and even how your brain gets stronger over time.

Glutamates are also used in food! They are food additives that make food taste better, especially by giving it a savory, "umami" flavor. You might see them listed with special codes called E numbers, like E620 to E625. A common one is monosodium glutamate, often found in Convenience food and many dishes from Asian cuisine.

What is Glutamic Acid?

Glutamic acid is one of the most common amino acids found in nature. Your body can actually make its own glutamic acid, so you don't always need to get it directly from food. This is why it's called a "non-essential" amino acid – not because it's not important, but because your body can produce it!

Glutamates as Brain Messengers

Glutamates are super important for your brain. They act as neurotransmitters, which are chemicals that send signals between nerve cells. Imagine your brain as a huge network of roads, and neurotransmitters are the cars that carry messages from one place to another.

• Learning and Memory: Glutamates help your brain form new connections and strengthen old ones. This process is vital for learning new things and remembering them later.
• Brain Power: They help your brain cells become more active and responsive, which is important for thinking and processing information.

Glutamates in Your Food

You might have eaten glutamates without even knowing it! They are naturally found in many foods, like tomatoes, cheese, mushrooms, and meat. When food tastes savory and rich, that's often because of natural glutamates.

• Umami Flavor: Glutamates give food a special taste called "umami." Umami is one of the five basic tastes, along with sweet, sour, salty, and bitter. It's often described as savory, meaty, or brothy.
• Food Additives: Sometimes, glutamates are added to foods to boost their flavor. Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a well-known example. It's used in many processed foods, snacks, and restaurant dishes to make them taste more delicious.

E-Numbers for Glutamates

When you look at food labels, you might see E-numbers. These are codes for food additives that have been approved for use in the European Union and other places. For glutamates, the E-numbers are:

• E620: Glutamic acid
• E621: Monosodium glutamate (MSG)
• E622: Monopotassium glutamate
• E623: Calcium diglutamate
• E624: Monoammonium glutamate
• E625: Magnesium diglutamate

These E-numbers simply tell you that a form of glutamate has been added to the food to enhance its flavor.