Has anyone had a reaction to food that may have contained MSG?

Question

I ate at a restaurant last night and got really really sick, and I know these types of places use excessive amounts of MSG. I am doing an article on MSG and have read many things on the net that says MSG is not really dangerous or toxic, I beg to differ, has anyone had this experience or know any different.

Answer 1

It depends on the person, and their observational skills. Many people eat food and will feel different afterwards -- but rarely make the connection that the food is the problem. For example, after eating sushi I feel noticeably happy and relaxed. Meanwhile, I don't believe that MSG has that big of an effect on me. On the other hand, I can tell you with certainty that after my father consumes MSG, his muscles ache and he becomes very tired -- every time. If you are reading on the internet that it is not bad for you, then that is a lie. It is absolutely poison to your body and there many, many studies to back that up. The worst part of it is is that glutimates are commonly labeled as 'hydrolyzed vegetable protein" and "natural flavors," in order to hide the the fact that you are eating the stuff.

Answer 2

Hi,

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) quite often shows a reaction. It does generate thirst in most people.

You don't actually say the restaurant was an oriental restaurant, though most of your answerers have assumed that.

It is true that MSG is used in higher levels in Chinese and similar reasaurants, but it is not exclusive to them. Incidentally, the feeling to eat again an hour after you have eaten a Chinese meal is often attributed to MSG.

As far as any 'expert' knows MSG is NOT dangerous to general health but some people are allergic, as they are to many other things, and allergic reactions to any foods offer a risk to health.

Of course, you don't know that MSG was what caused your sickness after dining, do you? It could have been tainted meat, poor kitchen hygeine, the amount of alcohol consumed with or after the meal, or even something you had eaten before you went to the restaurant. You just don't know.

I would suggest that if you eat the same kind of food again and suffer a similar bout of sickness that you don't eat that kind of food again...it may well be it just doesn't suit you.

Many foodstuffs contain MSG (even household salt, which uses it to make it 'run' easier) not just Oriental food (though it is true they tend to use higher levels than American or European foods)

Whatever you decide about the restaurant you used last night (and who could blame you for not wanting to risk it again?) don't automatically blame the MSG, it is entirely possible that it wasn't the reason for your sickness.

Good eating anyway,

BobSpain

Answer 3

I have an allergic reaction if I eat any excessive amount of MSG, which usually occurs at oriental restaurants. I've learned to ask if they use MSG, and if I have the option of having my food without MSG. Many restaurants will make accomodations for those of us who have a negative reaction to the additive. It's weird, cuz one of my sons has the same allergic reaction I do, while my other son is fine with it. Just a difference in people, I guess.

Answer 4

I'm Asian so I'm exposed a lot to MSG. It's not toxic or dangerous - EXCEPT - as with any other substance - if you over-dose on it.

I had a very similar episode last week which resulted in a lot of vomiting and nausea. I came to realize that I'd been heavily eating MSG laden food for over two days and I wasn't getting enough water.

Answer 5

You ate at a Chinese restaurant? Hmm. I'm from Southeast Asia and we usually use SOME MSG, though not really excessive amounts. Yes, it isn't dangerous or toxic THOUGH it causes sleepiness, in my case.

Whenever my Mom and I eat out in Oriental restaurants, THAT's the only reaction that we get. She tends to get really really sleepy. As for me, only LOTS of MSG makes me dizzy.

Maybe it's a different reaction for you. :) it really varies amongst people.

Answer 6

Some people are sensitive to it, yes.
My son is, and my husband too.
My husband reacts less severely---headache, a bit of tingling in his arms, and a bit of nausea.
My son had an extremely bad reaction once. Tingling of the hands, arms and face, double vision, bad headache, and then about 6 hours of severe vomiting. Because he was so violently ill, we took him to the hospital, and it was determined that he did not have food poisoning.
Technically MSG isn't toxic, but like other foods, some people can be sensitive to it. When it happened to my son, we got information that a high does of vitamin B6 can help ease the symptoms, plus he doesn't eat food from that particular restaurant (it was pizza---some sauces have a lot of MSG in them)

Answer 7

MSG has the side effect of causing headaches that are hard to treat with Tylenol or other headache medicines, it has to wear off. So many Americans get it that the trend shifted to not using MSG in Chinese food. Other side effects are minimal.
Did you know that KFC uses a large amount of MSG in their popcorn chicken as well as their breading, so much so that it exceeds Chinese food usage. (read the label, it's on there) so many people have other side effects from the food handling and not so much as from the MSG.

Answer 8

My mother is allergic to MSG, and I think I may have an issue with it to. As far as I know, it's not dangerous on it's own, just like peanut butter isn't. But if someone who's allergic to it eats it, it's a different story.

For me, it makes me feel all dizzy and out of place, and sick to my stomach. Only for 15 mins or so though, then it goes away.

Answer 9

my sister in law went thru the same thing everytime she ate something with msg. she got violently sick and landed in the hospital a few times. her and doctors both thought it was an msg reaction. turns out it was the sesame oil and peanut oil. all her life never had a problem until she was early 40's. she now carries some sort meds the doctor gave her in case she has another reaction which could be fatal if not treated a.s.a.p
is it possible you have become allergic tosesame or peanut oil?

Answer 10

When I was a teenager I ate at a oriental restaurant and was told that I was allergic to MSG after I got really sick. I thought I had a stomach virus it was so bad.