What is with MSG?

Question

So I had a packaged soup today for lunch. About an hour after I ate it, I felt hot, out of breath and had stomach cramps. I get this often when I eat a product that contains MSG. It lasted for about 2 hours. I checked the product label and, sure enough, noticed it contained MSG. Please tell me why on God's green earth food companies are poisoning us with MSG? Is there some kind of campaign that I can join to help stop this practice?

Answer 1

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is used as a flavor enhancer in a variety of foods prepared at home, in restaurants, and by food processors. Its use has become controversial in the past 30 years because of reports of adverse reactions in people who have eaten foods that contain MSG. Research on the role of glutamate-a group of chemicals that includes MSG in the nervous system-also has raised questions about the chemical's safety.

Answer 2

I don't think it's the MSG that is harming you itself. I think it's that they put wayyyy too much MSG in the food. Glutamates are in every protein rich food, plus some foods like mushrooms and tomatoes. That's why they taste so good. They say Italian food has wayyyy more glutamate than chinese food. But all of it is naturally occurring. The thing is, MSG is just a salt formation of glutamate. So once you eat it, it separates into the sodium ion and glutamate, and hence your food tastes better.

I say it's the same thing if you eat too much salt, too much sugar, too much fat, etc. Except too much MSG can have some really bad side effects and some really bad long term effects too according to studies.

Answer 3

Mono Sodium Glutimate, an additive that enhances flavor. There are a lot of people who are allergic to it. The get reactions similar to yours, some throw up, some have their windpipe close up, some break out in hives. Whenever you go to an oriental food restaurant, ask if they use MSG, it is a common additive to oriental recepies. Good Luck and be well.

Answer 4

write to the companies. Have a boilerplate letter saved on your computer, and just change the details, and send out about 50 letters, demanding that they stop putting that crap in your food. Say that you are boycotting all their products too, until they address this issue. Scare the MSG out of 'em...
Maybe you'll get a response, and some coupons for some free food too.

Answer 5

MSG is what makes many foods taste SOOOOO good! Its only poisionous to some people. But not enough to ban it.

Answer 6

It's vile stuff and I read somewhere that it actually causes obesity in lab rats! Always look for 621 in the list of additives and avoid the stuff.

Answer 7

monosodium glutamate, a food additive used to enhance flavor.

Answer 8

It's a flavor-enhancer.

Answer 9

its unhealthy "Super Salt"

Answer 10

an additive that is not healthy for you