Increasing Vegetable Intake Using Monosodium Glutamate: A Reduced-Effort Intervention (NCT05591612) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
Increasing Vegetable Intake Using Monosodium Glutamate: A Reduced-Effort Intervention
United States148 participantsStarted 2023-02-10
Plain-language summary
Food Intake Study: This will be a 4-week randomized controlled intervention study with a vegetable intake questionnaire, daily food intake, and seasoning usage measurement to test the acceptability of different seasoning ingredients and vegetable intake in healthy adults. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups (a) vegetables prepared with 50% NaCl and 50% MSG (50/50MSG Mix); (b) vegetables prepared with 70% NaCl and 30% MSG (70/30 MSG Mix); (c) vegetables prepared with NaCl (table salt).
Sensory Evaluation Study: A sensory evaluation utilizing all seasoning methods from the intervention will be conducted at a Texas Tech University culinary education lab. In a Texas Tech University culinary education lab, 2-4 vegetables will be cooked and seasoned with either 50/50MSG Mix, 70/30 MSG Mix, or NaCl for taste testing. Then, using a standardized form, participants will rate their acceptability and preference of each vegetable, including sensory characteristics such as appearance, color, odor, texture, and flavor.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* 18 years old and above
Exclusion Criteria:
* Allergy or aversion to MSG (monosodium glutamate) or potassium chloride
* Those that do not have a smart phone with the ability to download an app.
* Those who do not have a full kitchen and the willingness and ability to prepare vegetables according to a recipes.
* Those with an allergy, aversion, or dislike to vegetables that would make them not consume any vegetables during the study
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1This trial used monosodium glutamate (MSG) to try to make vegetables more appealing and increase how much people eat — given that I may be watching my sodium intake, is adding MSG to my diet something that would be safe or appropriate for me to try?
2The trial specifically looked at 'sodium excess' as one of its focus conditions, so could using MSG as a seasoning strategy actually worsen any sodium-related health concerns I already have, like high blood pressure or kidney issues?
3Since this trial has already completed, has my doctor seen or heard anything about its results — did MSG actually lead people to eat more vegetables in a meaningful way, and would that strategy make sense for my specific situation?
4This was described as a 'reduced-effort intervention,' meaning it was designed to be a simple, low-burden change — is this something my doctor thinks I could realistically incorporate into how I already cook and eat, or are there better-supported approaches to improving my vegetable intake?
5If I wanted to try increasing my vegetable intake using seasoning strategies like MSG, are there other completed or ongoing studies my doctor would point me to, or would standard dietary counseling be a more evidence-backed first step for me?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.