-Question/ Mayo Health Clinic -
-My favorite Chinese restaurant has a sign that says "No MSG." What is MSG? Is it bad for you?-AnswerFrom: Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a flavor enhancer commonly added to Chinese food, canned vegetables, soups and processed meats. Although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified MSG as a food ingredient that's "generally recognized as safe," the use of MSG remains controversial. For this reason, when MSG is added to food, the FDA requires that it be listed on the label.
MSG has been used as a food additive for decades. Over the years, the FDA has received many anecdotal reports of adverse reactions to foods containing MSG. These reactions — known as MSG symptom complex — include:
Headache
Flushing
Sweating
Facial pressure or tightness
Numbness, tingling or burning in face, neck and other areas
Rapid, fluttering heartbeats (heart palpitations)
Chest pain
Nausea
Weakness
However, researchers have found no definitive evidence of a link between MSG and these symptoms. Researchers acknowledge, though, that a small percentage of people may have short-term reactions to MSG. Symptoms are usually mild and don't require treatment. The only way to prevent a reaction is to avoid foods containing MSG.
-----
I know of several people that cannot tolerate MSG. I happen to be in that group, and always ask that it not be included whenever we place an order for Restaurant food; Chinese food is a big MSG user. Of course, we do NOT know if our order comes out of the same large pots that contain the MSG. Water retention and headaches aren't worth the good taste of the foods. But as mentioned above, it is in MOST foods. We only order Chinese food occasionally. Of course the 'sodium' is NOT good for high blood pressure. You may want to watch to see if your Restaurant foods cause these symptoms.
