MSG, or monosodium glutamate, is a flavor enhancer responsible for the umami taste and is commonly added in some restaurants and processed foods. Dietitian Katherine Zeratsky explains that although MSG is recognized as safe by the FDA and has been used for decades, its use remains controversial and it appears that some people can react badly to its consumption.
Chinese Restaurant Syndrome
An overload of MSG, commonly referred to as the Chinese restaurant syndrome, can induce different symptoms, such as headache, flushing, sweating, facial pressure or tightness, numbness, tingling or burning sensations, heart palpitations, chest pain, nausea and weakness, according to MayoClinic.com. However, there is no clear evidence or scientific studies establishing a link between these symptoms and the consumption of MSG. Moreover, not everyone can experience these symptoms and people that react to MSG may only present with a few of these symptoms, ranging from mild to severe.
Food Sources
MSG is common in Chinese foods. Unless a restaurant specifies that they do not use MSG, most of their dishes, sauces and foods are highly likely to contain MSG as a flavor enhancer. Processed foods, such as soups or prepared meals, may contain MSG. Look at the ingredient list to see if MSG is part of the ingredients of the foods you buy. Many ingredients may hide the presence of MSG, including yeast extracts, seasonings, spices, whey protein concentrate and hydrolyzed vegetable protein.
MSG Overload
The amount of MSG you need to consume to experience symptoms can vary from one person to another. In very sensitive people, a very small amount of MSG can trigger symptoms, while less sensitive people won't have any problems unless they consume a very large amount of MSG. The quantity of MSG you need to consume to overload your body with MSG and induce side effects simply depends. It is difficult to know the exact MSG content of the foods you buy or eat at restaurants.
Neurotoxin
Although more data is still needed to establish what the effects of MSG can be on human health, some studies done with rats indicate that MSG acts as a neurotoxin and promote the obesity, metabolic syndrome and Type 2 diabetes, according to NaturalNews.com. Some reports show an association with eye damages and other health problems, but these results have not been demonstrated in humans.
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