The Chinese food you order from your local restaurant may contain several kinds of additives and colorings. Reputable restaurants and manufacturers use additives approved by the Food and Drug Administration, including many additives found in other cuisines of different cultures. Possibly the most famous additive in Chinese food is monosodium glutamate, or MSG. Many people link this additive with the condition "Chinese restaurant syndrome" -- a loose term for a bad reaction to Chinese food.
MSG
The most popular additive in Chinese food is MSG. This granular additive makes the flavor of meat and poultry stronger and meatier. MSG comes from fermented sugar beets, molasses, starch or similar sources. In its additive form it looks like little salt crystals that you sprinkle into the dish while cooking. While the FDA lists MSG as safe for use, some controversy over possible side effects of MSG persists.
Red Yeast Rice
Red yeast rice comes from the fermentation of yeast with a species of red rice. Red yeast rice is featured in many traditional Chinese medicine remedies, including as a treatment for lowering cholesterol. However, powdered red yeast rice also gives the classic Chinese dish Peking duck its roasted red color. In these small amounts as a Chinese food additive red rice yeast causes no health risks. The government's MedlinePlus website lists red rice yeast as "possibly safe" in supplement form. However, avoid eating lots of Peking duck if pregnant as the substance is linked to birth defects in large doses.
Starch
Chinese food often contains modified maize starch, cornstarch or additives based on these types of starch. Starches help thicken sauces in Chinese dishes such as chow mien, sweet and sour or other stir fry recipes. Cornstarch is particularly common in American Chinese cuisine. It binds water, giving many Chinese sauces that familiar viscous texture. Starches generally don't present any health risks. However, some starch powders may contain gluten -- something that triggers symptoms in celiacs.
Chinese Restaurant Syndrome
Some people experience a range of symptoms after eating Chinese food. While no exact cause is clear at time of publication, it appears that MSG may play a role in the condition, according to MedlinePlus. Symptoms include nausea, stomach cramps, headaches, fevers, raised heart rate and dizziness. These effects usually only last a few days at most. Though MSG seems to be the most likely culprit, it may be that the combination of glutamates and other additives in Chinese foods triggers a negative reaction in certain people.
References
- Health Services at Columbia: MSG: Troublesome Food Additive or Fantastic Flavor Enhancer?; May 30, 2003
- MedlinePlus; Red Yeast; May 2011
- MedlinePlus; Chinese Restaurant Syndrome; Linda J. Vorvick, M.D.; October 2010
- FDA US Food and Drug Administration; Food Ingredients and Colors; April 2010
- "Starch: From Starch Containing Sources to Isolation of Starches and their Applications"; Vladimir P. Yuryev; 2004
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