It’s time we give up the “MSG is making you sick” rhetoric.
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But are these claims actually true, and why has MSG gotten such a bad reputation?
What is MSG?
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Its a naturally-occurring flavor compound that imparts umami, or savory, flavor.
Essentially, MSG is naturally found in a variety of unadulterated food items.
It serves an important role as a neurotransmitter, which helps nerve cells communicate with the brain.
In short, its also already present in our bodies.
By the 1940s, MSG brands were commonly available and recipes and cookbooks from the era often featured MSG..
This popularity inevitably landed the ingredient in the West.
(For reference, about one percent of the general population also has a latex allergy.)
Many also had small sample sizes, lacked control groups, and were ultimately inconclusive.
Additionally, MSG can promote salivation, something that might benefit people with suppressed appetites, says Harbstreet.
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This could potentially support long-term compliance with medically prescribed diets, Harbstreet shares.
However, MSGs ability to elicit umami taste in foods has led to some further conflating health implications.
In turn, MSG is often added to packaged, ultra-processed, and fast foods.
And it should be noted that typical amounts of MSG are pretty small in everyday life.
And its very unlikely you could accidentally consume any amount that would potentially harm your health.
Ultimately, what weve been told about MSG over the years isnt based on any solid evidence.
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