What tastes like meat soup, is added to food in restaurants to enhance taste, increases cravings for said food, and often results in overeating and obesity? Ever heard of E621? What about monosodium glutamate, also known as MSG?

E621 and MSG are one in the same, and they are both responsible for what has been listed above. Although MSG has received a lot of press over the past few years, it is still widely utilized by various branches of food industries, and it still does more harm than good under virtually all circumstances. Oftentimes, when an additive or preservative such as E621 is called out on TV or in print for months or years, the public simply assumes that it will be banned immediately or in the near future, so they simply move on and worry about things that they have more control over.

However, as is the case here, more times than not no bans are put in place, and very few companies voluntarily stop using these products or even bother to look into alternatives. Indeed, individual human beings must lookout for themselves in these situations, even if they should not have to—after all, individuals will be the ones paying the biggest prices in the end if they neglect to take personal action.

E621 stimulates brain cells in such a way that results in cravings or addictions. What’s more, E621 is absorbed into human blood effortlessly, and this can eventually lead to actual changes in gene structure. It’s virtually impossible to tell if E621 is in your food simply by looking for it: it is available as crystals, powder, and also liquid.

What is the best advice to take for those who wish to avoid E621? Unfortunately—or, fortunately, depending on your individual perspective—eat food at home, which is made from fresh fruits, vegetables, and kosher meat.

*This content was inspired by an amazing article that can be found here.