别再误传了，还味精一个清白

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)在某种程度上对你有害的观念是食物误解之一。不会死的。

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.

对这种化学物质的反对声音从模糊的、挥舞手臂的“不健康”标签，一直到它是一种会让你对快餐上瘾的破坏性的神经毒素。

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.

看来，无论专家们多少次传达这种无害食品添加剂的真相，你仍然会在当地的杂货店发现大量的美味小吃和方便面，夸耀他们的“无味精”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.

这就是为什么即使在2019年，加拿大营养师阿比·夏普(Abbey Sharp)发布的最新YouTube视频也一如既往地具有相关性。在不到15分钟的时间里，她就打破了一堆关于味精的胡说八道，用一种简单、引人入胜的方式解释了这门科学。

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.

夏普的视频实际上是对2008个病毒视频“味精的真相”的回应，其中脊椎按摩师和营养师Vincent Bellonzi对MSG是一种“刺激奖励系统”的毒素进行了一系列科学的阐述，使人们变得肥胖，无法控制自己的情绪，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.

简单回顾一下，以下是关于味精你需要知道的。天然存在于许多富含蛋白质的食物中的是谷氨酸，一种被生物体广泛用于体内制造蛋白质的化学物质。

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.

当你把这种酸或它的一种盐溶解在水里，你会得到一种叫做谷氨酸盐的负离子，它是产生鲜味的原因。天然富含谷氨酸的典型食物有罐装西红柿、酱油和陈年奶酪。

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.

味精攻击者会声称它与“天然”物质不一样，但这是错误的：在化学水平上，味精的增味作用与番茄酱中的“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.

其他针对味精的无稽之谈包括它会扰乱你大脑的化学物质。虽然谷氨酸是一种神经递质，但仅仅因为你吃了它并不意味着它会直接进入你的大脑。

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.

事实上，如果你在家里做的食物上撒一点味精，你可能还会减少盐的摄入量——如果你担心你的钠摄入量的话，这是非常值得考虑的。