Important Note: If you happily use MSG, you are unlikely to learn anything helpful from this article.
If you are uncertain about the safety or value of MSG, this is for you.
If You Read Nothing Else, Read This
Section titled “If You Read Nothing Else, Read This”Read this entertaining illustrated story from bestselling science author Sam Keen titled “The Rotten Science Behind the MSG Scare: How one doctor’s letter and a string of dodgy studies spurred a public health panic”.
Double-Blind Studies
Section titled “Double-Blind Studies”In this version of the Pepsi Challenge, people were given plain water with or without a spoonful of MSG. Some had headaches, flushing, etc, from the MSG water and some didn’t. When the people who had reacted to the concentrated MSG in plain water were given food seasoned with or without MSG, none of them could tell the difference.
Learn What MSG Is
Section titled “Learn What MSG Is”Just as sodium chloride is a combination of sodium and chloride, monosodium glutamate is a combination of sodium and glutamate.
Glutamate (aka glutamic acid) is an amino acid. We require amino acids in our diet to make proteins. Of the amino acids in our diet, we consume more glutamate than any other amino acid.
We also make amino acids through our body chemistry. We make roughly 90 times more glutamate per day than we get from added MSG. Among the excitatory neurotransmitters in the brain, glutamate is more abundant than dopamine, and so important that the brain doesn’t depend on normal bodily sources—it makes all the glutamate it needs by itself.
Recognize the Ubiquity of MSG in Foods
Section titled “Recognize the Ubiquity of MSG in Foods”MSG occurs naturally in parmesan cheese, mushrooms, and most Campbell’s soups (What greater proof of harmlessness do you need?) On average, we each consume about a serving a day.
How MSG Gets on the Supermarket Shelf
Section titled “How MSG Gets on the Supermarket Shelf”Commercial MSG is produced through fermentation of starchy foods like sugar cane, sugar beets, or molasses. The process is similar to that for yogurt, vinegar and wine.
Why people buy MSG
Section titled “Why people buy MSG”It is the primary carrier of umami, the savory fifth taste. It enhances the overall flavor of food using about half the sodium.
Health Benefits of MSG
Section titled “Health Benefits of MSG”It helps you avoid sodium.
It increases salivary flow.
You feel satiated with less food.
It makes previously underappreciated vegetables taste good. 😉
A Final Word
Section titled “A Final Word”If you find MSG doesn't agree with your personal metabolism, simply use less — or skip it. No judgment here.