Why is msg bad for your health

Research suggests that for a small number of highly sensitive people MSG may trigger the same symptoms listed above. On the flip side, there may be an unsung positive for MSG. IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Share this —.

Follow today. At first, it looked like Kwok might have been onto something. Washington University researcher Dr John W. Olney found that injecting enormous doses of monosodium glutamate under the skin of newborn mice led to the development of patches of dead tissue in the brain. When these mice grew into adulthood they were stunted, obese, and in some cases, sterile.

Olney also repeated his study in infant rhesus monkeys, giving them the MSG orally, and noted the same results. But 19 other studies in monkeys by other researchers failed to show the same, or even similar results.

Human studies also fell short of coming up with a smoking gun. In one study , 71 healthy individuals were treated with increasing doses of MSG or placebo in capsule form. Researchers found the so-called Chinese Restaurant Syndrome symptoms occurred at roughly the same rate, regardless of whether subjects were given the MSG or the placebo, and even after the participants were swapped over to the alternative option.

But they did conclude there was enough scientific evidence to suggest the existence of a subgroup of healthy individuals in the general population who may respond badly to large doses of MSG, usually within an hour of exposure. 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.

If you want to try the seasoning for yourself, you can find it in the spice aisle under names like Accent. Sprinkle a little bit into a casserole or batch of soup and see if you like the way it makes your food taste—and the way it makes you feel.

June 18, by Sally. Share Pin Tweet. Is Coconut Oil Healthy? The investigators noted that the MSG caused neuronal cell death in several areas of the developing brain. For example, the MSG damaged the hypothalamus, which plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis.

However, it is not possible to compare the effects of injecting large amounts of MSG into newborn mice with the effects of humans ingesting small amounts of MSG from food into their gastrointestinal tract. One study that involved more than 10, Chinese adults concluded that MSG caused the participants to gain weight even in the absence of processed foods or a lack of physical exercise. However, a systematic review that mentioned this study goes on to say that this result may be due to the fact that MSG may influence a person to overeat.

Moreover, a study concluded that MSG does not cause obesity at all. It is worth mentioning that because MSG makes food taste better, people may be more tempted to overeat. Learn what a person should weigh for their height and age here. However, one review stated that there is no evidence to support a link between MSG consumption and headaches. In , however, they removed MSG from this list.

Learn about some possible causes of headaches here. Historically, some people believed that there was a link between MSG consumption and cancer risk. However, a systematic review stated that since the s, there have been no studies that have confirmed this link.

Learn more about how diet affects cancer risk here. One older study appeared to confirm this. However, more recent studies — such as one study into the link between MSG, diet, and asthma in adults and one study into MSG and asthma in adults and children — have found no correlation between asthma and MSG consumption. It is also worth mentioning that studies involving high doses of MSG may not be reliable in a real-life setting.

According to the FDA , it is unlikely that a person will consume enough MSG from food to experience any adverse reactions.

Learn more about asthma triggers here. One review mentions that some people have reported being hypersensitive to MSG. The New York Allergy and Sinus Centers have stated that this is a sensitivity rather than an allergy. Symptoms of this may include:.