Catherine Saxelby's Foodwatch | Glossary

A key mineral in many enzymes, and together with three other minerals, calcium, sodium and potassium, controls muscle contraction and nerve functioning. Magnesium occurs widely in foods.

flavour enhancer (code number 621) used in some Asian restaurants and savoury foods like soup and sauces. Once linked to a reaction called the 'Chinese Restaurant Syndrome', where it was supposed to cause chest pains, facial flushing and headache, MSG has now been cleared. It still poses a problem for glutamate-sensitive asthmatics.

Fats with one double bond in their chemical structure. Found in all fats but high in olive, canola, macadamia and peanut oils and avocados. Mono-fats lower cholesterol and are less susceptible to oxidation than polyunsaturates.

Monosodium glutamate