No Evidence MSG is Bad for You
The Claim
Monosodium glutamate – commonly referred to as MSG – is detrimental to one’s health.
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Emerging story
MSG was invented in the early 20th century in Japan. It became a staple seasoning of many Asian cultures, eventually finding its way into foreign diets. In the 1960s, someone wrote a letter to their local newspaper that accused Chinese restaurants of causing a list of symptoms, linking it to the MSG used in many Chinese dishes. Some scientists studied the seasoning and declared it to be unhealthy, a belief that persists to this day.
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Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar's investigation found that the study had a troubling methodology. Scientists injected patients with large doses of MSG, which is not how one generally consumes it. Other tests involved eating a lot of MSG on an empty stomach.
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As of yet, the FDA thinks MSG is safe. They have yet to confirm any of the adverse reactions, such as headaches or nausea. One double-blind study found that the so-called “Chinese restaurant symptom” is purely anecdotal and not based in reality, having found that their subjects reported no difference in symptoms between eating a placebo and real MSG.
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The biggest health threat caused by MSG is that it causes unhealthy food to taste delicious. When used on something healthy, such as vegetable soup, it can make a nutritious diet much more enjoyable.