Msg how is it harmful

The FDA says the body metabolizes MSG the same way it does the natural glutamate found in foods like tomatoes and cheese. MSG has been studied for a possible connection with weight gain. One explanation is that MSG makes food taste better—so you may eat more of it. Another is that the additive may disrupt hunger-fullness hormones. In one study of more than 10, Chinese adults published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition , those who ate the most MSG were 33 percent more likely to be overweight after five years compared to those who ate the least amount.

If you believe you have a sensitivity to MSG, by all means continue to avoid it. You may find added MSG in foods like:. Any food that contains MSG either as monosodium glutamate or via one of the ingredients listed above cannot make those claims. MSG increases flavor and adds depth—but it has two-thirds less sodium that regular table salt.

According to Ajinomoto, which makes MSG seasoning, you only need a half-teaspoon to enhance the flavor of a pound of meat or up to six servings of veggies or soup. Is one better or worse for you than the other? MSG is made by fermenting sugar cane, tapioca or corn, much the same way that yogurt is produced by fermenting milk or vinegar is made from fermented wine. MSG is hardly new. And for six decades no one ever had a problem with it.

Until Since then, MSG has come under the microscope and things have never been the same. In the past 50 years, anecdotal reports have linked it to a long list of symptoms, including heart palpitations , chest pain, nausea, headache, the sweats and facial flushing, numbness, tingling, pressure and burning.

For those who may be sensitive to MSG, symptoms are short-term and often mild. They may include:. If you experience these symptoms and think MSG is to blame, the best option is to begin avoiding food containing the ingredient.

For those who feel their symptoms are more severe, consult your doctor. While some may have a negative reaction, MSG is considered safe for the majority of people to consume. Overall, MSG is a useful savory enhancer with few health risks. There's not much controversy here, just a whole lot of flavor. World globe An icon of the world globe, indicating different international options.

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