The trial will be conducted by ARS’ Western Human Nutrition Research Center (WHNRC) and aims to assess whether adding dietary sodium glutamate to foods helps control appetite and caloric intake in overweight women by increasing enjoyment of foods.
Dr. Kevin Laugero of WHNRC said: "For some people, long term improvements in eating behavior and body weight are difficult to maintain, and the mechanisms that explain this fact are poorly understood."
The trial is expected to be completed within two years.
President and CEO of Ajinomoto, Masatoshi Ito, said the partnership between Ajinomoto and WHNRC creates “a powerful partnership as we seek a better understanding of how to improve eating behaviors and human health.”