Umami and Healthy Aging

Abstract This chapter focuses on nutrition in older adults and discusses how umami can be used to improve their health. It is necessary to be well nourished in order to stay alive and remain healthy into old age. However, older people are at high risk of becoming malnourished due to age-related changes, such as decreases in saliva production, taste function, food intake, and digestive function. Previous studies have shown that interventions using umami may improve functional changes and nutritional challenges associated with aging. Additionally, reports suggest favorable effects of long-term consumption of monosodium L-glutamate (MSG), an umami seasoning agent, on nutritional status, quality of life, and cognitive function in older people. MSG could be used not only to enhance the taste of meals but also to help people live healthier lives through their daily diet.