what is monosodium glutamate? and does it have any bad side effects?

Answer 1

MSG is the sodium salt of glutamic acid. When MSG is ingested, the body converts it almost immediately to glutamate. Glutamate is an amino acid (the building blocks of proteins) and is found in almost all plant and animal tissue.

It is a very high sodium flavor-enhancer without a distinct flavor of its own, and is used primarily in Chinese, processed foods, and prepared seasoning blends.

Used in a very small amount, it can add a sparkle to the taste of a dish, especially to proteins like meat, fish, seafood, and chicken.

It has been found that monosodium glutamate can cause headaches or other symptoms in susceptible people. Symptoms occur within 30 minutes of ingesting MSG, as it is rapidly absorbed by the stomach. Although the headache chiefly affects the temples, there may also be perspiration, tightness, and pressure over the face and chest.

I get light-headed and begin to feel a bit woozy (maybe that's the Saki??).

Try to avoid it on a regular basis, but it shouldn't be a problem occasionally in a restaurant. You'll know if it is, and it isn't deadly - although people with high blood pressure sure don't need the added sodium!

Answer 2

MSG is an additive food manufacturers put into processed food to increase flavor. It has been linked to behaviorial problems in children, migraines and assorted other health problems

Answer 3

MSG is a food preservative. Some people experience very strange side effects from it.

Answer 4

Its not mostly found in chinese food, though, it is found in almost every packed food you eat. It comes also under the names in ingrediests like "natrual flavorings", and "hydrolyzed vegetable proteins", "hydrolyzed yeast", "soy extracts".

Every restaurant like: TGIF, Chilis', Applebees and Denny's use MSG in abundance.

Kentucky Fried Chicken seems to be the WORST offender: MSG is in EVERY chicken dish, salad dressing and gravy.

Answer 5

It's and additive to food and is much like salt. I have heard of people getting headaches from using it.

Answer 6

Why don't you just put that into a search engine to find out the real meaning and learn how these guys (posting prior) are wrong?

Answer 7

~~~ MSG is a salty preservitive, mostly found in Chineese food,,,it tends to cause headaches in some people,,,,so alot of the Chineese resturants have stopped using it,,,,and if you notice on the menus ,,, they may say " does not have MSG in this resturant~~~

Answer 8

vetsin.

it is carcinogenic.