Is monosodium glutamate(MSG) really good for health?

Question

MSG is commonly used is Asian cooking. Doctors encourages people not to use it. Hospitals do not use it on the foods they serve on their patients. Some restaurants and food manufacturers put "No MSG Contents" on the labels. But,companies that markets MSG says it is very safe to use, just like using vinegar, sugar or yogurt. They said their claim was a result of years of research and backed up by some medical experts also.

What's the real truth?

Answer 1

MSG is one food additive containing free glutamate - there are about 40 others (soy protein isolate, whey protein, "natural flavors", malt extract, etc.) that are added to most prepared foods you get in a supermarket or a chain restaurant.

Glutamate is a amino acid found in most proteins, which is "free" when the protein has been broken down by processing. When it's in "free" form it acts on your brain by stimulating neurons. This is why even though it doesn't actually have a flavor, it kicks up the flavor of other foods - just hyperexcites the receptors in the brain.

Whether or not you're particularly sensitive to it, it isn't safe. For one thing, it's addictive. The more you have it, the more you want more of it (the "you can't have just one" effect someone mentioned). Also, it stimulates insulin production, which lowers your blood sugar, causing more carb cravings and possibly creating or aggravating hypoglycemia, which can eventually lead to diabetes.

There are many industry-funded studies which "prove" MSG is safe. But independent studies get different results. The industry and FDA studies (which use the placebos supplied by the manufacturer) often use placebos that CONTAIN FREE GLUTAMATE or artificial sweetners, which usually have the same affect on MSG-sensitive people. See, they're only testing for reactions to MSG, i.e. monosodium glutamate, or glutamate attached to sodium. Glutamate in any other form can be included in the placebo, so that the testers react to both the MSG and placebo samples the same. And they can claim that MSG is safe.

Personally, I used to be a person who could eat anything, anytime. But this spring I was very, very ill for 6 weeks before I was able to figure out which foods were making me sickest (like soy and whey protein) and find out the common link among them (MSG). After 6 weeks of illness, the DAY I tried the new MSG-free diet, I was 95% better and I've been healthy in the four months since, as long as I don't cheat too badly.

I would highly recommend avoiding processed foods and additives, eating fresh and homemade whenever possible. The more you learn about processed foods, the less you want to eat them!

Here is a list of the principal additives that contain free glutamate:

These ALWAYS contain MSG/free glutamate:
Gelatin Monosodium glutamate
Calcium caseinate Textured protein
Monopotassium glutamate Sodium caseinate
Yeast extract Autolyzed yeast
Hydrolyzed protein (any protein that is hydrolyzed)
Hydrolyzed corn gluten

These usually contain MSG or create MSG during processing:

Natural flavor(s) & flavoring(s) Soy sauce
Carrageenan Maltodextrin Malt extract
Malt flavoring Bouillon and Broth
Natural chicken flavoring Soy protein isolate
Natural beef flavoring Stock
Barley malt Soy sauce extract
Soy protein Whey protein
Whey protein isolate Anything protein fortified
Flavors(s) & Flavoring(s) Seasonings
Anything enzyme modified Anything fermented

Answer 2

Many people are sensitive to MSG and have unpleasant symptoms if they eat it, often called "Chinese Restaurant Syndrome." This is a bothersome reaction but rarely dangerous.

Vinegar, yogurt and sugar can also be a problem for some people, those with allergies, for example, or those with diabetes or hypoglycemia. MSG is safe for consumption for most people, but it doesn't mean it's good for health or recommended.

The major consideration for health is that MSG contains a substantial amount of sodium and too much sodium is a problem for many for reasons ranging from kidney disease to heart conditions.

That's the real truth. It's a safe food additive for most, but just a peanut could kill some people, there are some who should not consume it. It's purpose is as a flavor enhancer, and a quality food should not need artificial enhancing.

Answer 3

MSG is baaaaaaad. It is in A LOT more than just Asian foods. It's in everything. Look at a label on something in your kitchen. Do you see the words... "Natural Flavor" in the ingredients list? That's MSG. They have all kinds of secret names for it. No good, but it's in so much stuff there's no escaping it anyways sooo

Answer 4

It is my understanding that MSG is one of the worst things you can put in your body. The next time you are eating something, and you cannot 'eat just one', this is the MSG that has been added to the product to keep you eating. Chinese food does the same thing, because many restaurants use MSG.

Answer 5

I don't see how any company can defend their use of MSG. All I know is that theres some component in it that interacts with brain causing it to be unable to stop eating certain kinds of foods that are heavily laden with it. IE: Doritos, cheetos and other snacks.It's nasty stuff and gives a whopper of a headache.Anyone can hire so called experts to support their research when they have a product that they want to sell.So an "experts" opinion means zip .

Answer 6

Monosodium Glutamate
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monosodium_glutamate

MSG is a food additive, popularly marketed as a "flavour enhancer".

I was a Quality Control Supervisor and we had a bag of MSG sitting in the office, I thought it was salt, so I poured it on like crazy (i'm a salt-o-holic) and boy was it cr*p, I had to puke it back out. Tasted flat and nasty.

Answer 7

i am very allergic to it! it gives me awful headaches and I had a stroke from a headache caused by it. Of course the companies that market it will say that.. some people can tolerate it and some cant, I can take it in small doses but I gave up Chinese food and if its near the top of the ingredients in a food I don't touch it

Answer 8

As far as has been scientifically verifiable so far, MSG does not really help or hurt you. I have seen no studies where doctors urge people not to use it. Hospitals don't use it in foods because they probably go under the assumption that the least added substances to give to really sick people, the better.

Answer 9

MSG makes me sick. I avoid going to restaurants that spray their food with it. Cause it makes me violatly ill.

What do think of MSG I m not sure.

http://www.msgfacts.com/facts/msgfacts.html

i found this read it. Hope it helps.

Answer 10

The truth is that MSG (umami) is boosting the intellect level of the asian brain, therefore by a complicated international medical conspiration MSG is a tabu there.
You know it's like Stalin has discriminated against advanced agriculture at one place, elsewhere made its experts heroes. Exemple: The Kulkarni vs. Michurin
It is a tip iCal and irrational Asian thing about MSG too.