Myth buster: MSG

Introduction

We usually hear people opinions on how bad is msg. But how many of you actually know what is msg or what does it stands for? MSG is short for Monosodium Glutamate. monosodium which is similar to sodium chloride which is where the saltiness come from, glutamate which a non essential amino acid and this is the secret element to the savouriness you have tasted in food. The cheapest form of producing msg is by a fermentation process in sugary plants such as sugar beet, sugar cane or molasses. This is a brief intro to msg, as we go deeper in this blog I am sure you will have more knowledge about it. Msg is invented by a Japanese scientists when he founded that kelp had savoury property. Based on my experience, it has a sweetish-tangy taste.

1) Myth: what people have felt after consuming msg

The symptoms that is listed below ar report after consuming Chinese food which is believe to have large amount of msg. This sickness is called Chinese restaurant syndrome. There was a study carried out that shows this result with pure msg.

headaches

fatigue

muscle tightness

cramping

Truth: the first study, subject are not blinded by the taste, msg can be easily taste. This mean it's possible that the subject had a bais opinion. When the second study was done to eliminate this issue, the let subject tried it in pill in order to avoid if them from taste the savouriness from the msg. Researchers provided 2 pills, one with msg extract, the other without it. The subject were told that they are to be ingesting a msg extract pill and were ask if they feel anything. The result shows even for the pill without msg, the subject exprience the placebo effect and said they felt some of the symptoms above. THEN WHY DOES THOSE PEOPLE THAT ATE IN CHINESE RESTAURANT FELT THOSE SYMPTOMS.
simple, those could come from other ingredients widely used in Chinese cuisine. Herbs and spices such as Szechuan peppercorn seem to bring the same symptoms, which mean the Chinese restaurant syndrome is caused by those herb and spice but not the msg. People that are sensitive to msg may also feel such symptoms.

2) myth: MSG increases glutamate plasma in brain

A research have been done to prove that high glutamate plasma in brain is harmful. Mies have been used as the subject.
Having high levels of glutamate plasma will end up with neurological disorder such as:

Alzheimer's disease

Parkinson's disease

Truth:

we cannot assume mies have the same build by as humans, the have different heartbeat rate,metabolism rate, antibodies and DNA.

msg was directly injected into the mies brain, where we only consume it orally.

the mies was given msg in extremely high does which we would never consume in such dose.
All these factor makes the information to be inapplicable to humans.

Why is MSG safe?

glutamate acid is found naturally in many fruits, vegetables and meat. Tomato, mushrooms, cured meat, meat, cheese, miso, fermented food, and so many more contain glutamate.

Glutamate acid is founded in the brain and produces by the body itself, why would the body produce something that would harm themselves?

glutamic acid is needed as a neurotransmitter, a neurotransmitter is needed to ensure electrical nerve can be transferred to other cells.

Concussion

unless if you are sensitive to msg then you should be fine with msg, however if you cannot get along with this new fact you can always reduce the amount, stick with food that has glutamate acid ie mushroom and cheese, or just exclud it from your diet. Msg or glutamate acid is necessity but if you just want to be in the safe side just eat in moderation just like all other food. Moderation is key.

Just a small little remarks, I consume very little msg, but even when I started add considerably large amount of msg I felt no negative symptoms at the same time I get to enjoy good food!!