Side Effects of Monosodium Glutamate
Monosodium glutamate, or MSG, is an additive that enhances the flavor of food. Unfortunately, the side effects of MSG have been known for a long time, but it continues to be used as an ingredient in many foods, particularly Chinese food. However, because it is naturally occurring, it may hide on an ingredients list as "natural flavoring." Does this Spark an idea?
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What is MSG?
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MSG is a white powder that dissolves quickly in water or saliva. It was discovered in 1909 by the Ajinomoto Corp. in Japan. Once dissolved, it separates into sodium and glutamate. Glutamate is a nonessential amino acid found in virtually all proteins. It is made by fermenting starch and a sugar such as sugar cane, sugar beets or molasses. The reason it remains popular as a food additive is that it is inexpensive and effective at adding flavor.
Side Effects
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While food additives aren't unusual (for instance, salt is an additive), it is rare to include a food additive that can actually cause severe health problems. Some of the side effects of consuming MSG include: burning sensations in the back, neck, chest; paralysis; numbness in the same areas; tingling or warmth in the face, arms or back; nausea; facial tightness; rapid heartbeat; chest pains, asthma attacks; drowsiness or cravings for other foods.
Reactions to MSG may happen at any time, from right after MSG is consumed to up to two days later.
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Obesity
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In lab mice, MSG has been found to increase the chances of obesity. Some people worry that MSG is having the same effect on people, thereby contributing to the obesity problem in the United States. MSG in young mice triples the amount of insulin their pancreases create, which leads to obesity.
Brain Lesions
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Some studies have suggested that glutamic acid, of which MSG forms the sodium salt, can cause brain lesions. So far, this has been shown only in animals and at very large doses.
What Foods Contain MSG?
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You would hope that something that causes these kinds of problems would be easy to avoid, but it's not. MSG is pretty much in most foods. Canned soups, snack foods, frozen dinners and steak sauce all contain MSG. However, it is most commonly associated with Chinese food, which is not surprising because it was originally used to enhance the flavor of Chinese cuisine.
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Resources
- Photo Credit Chinese food is only one of many things that contains MSG. Courtesy of www.freefoto.com.
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Comments
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there needs to be a law telling the public that there is msgs. I am finding out that most fast food places use msgs.
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MSG companies STOP producing MSG! Say No to MSG.
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one more side effect of MSG: frequent cramps in lower legs, mostly at night . . . it happened to me when I lived in the dorm, at night we ate a lots of instant ramens and all of us experienced the same problem . . . :(
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Ironically it sounds like food discrimination! MSG had been associated w/Chinese foods, then after all Chinese Restaurants stop using it almost 3 decades ago. Unfortunately the world are blinded by all Korean, Mexican, Vietnamese, also most Made in America's can soup brand and instant package soups in most grocery store are still using MSG shown or hidden @ Ingredients contents.
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I stay away from MSG!
