The Dangers of Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)

Monosodium Glutamate, more commonly referred to as MSG, is a food additive that is used to enhance the flavor of many everyday food items. MSG is an unnatural chemical substance that creates a false sense of heightened taste when used in food. MSG has no nutritional value and its sole purpose is to camouflage unappetizing flavors or blandness in the food we eat on a daily basis. While it is true that MSG does seem to add flavor to foods, however, the health dangers that this substance may cause far outweigh any the benefits of added taste.

Health Risks Associated with MSG

MSG has been thoroughly studied and tested by independent as well as government health agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) since its introduction into our food supply. While many of the independent researchers have come to a consensus on the true dangers and detriment to health that MSG poses, the FDA claims that Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) is safe for human consumption, regardless of the overwhelming evidence of the contrary. The FDA continues to hide behind the cover of non-disclosure of the evidence of its proposed safety under the Administrative Procedure Act which protects federal agencies from investigations regarding their findings.

While the FDA has labeled MSG as a safe food additive, other empirical research has found otherwise. Independent researchers have found that MSG causes many health problems in people who consume food that contains this product.

Potential Health Dangers that MSG Allegedly Causes

This list is by no means the only set of side effects that are found with the use of MSG, yet the few that are listed here are serious health consequences associated with the consumption of food products that contain MSG.

Foods that Contain MSG

Many foods that we would normally consider to be healthy and safe choices are littered with the MSG chemical additive. Nutritionally speaking, even foods that are considered highly nutritional are not exempt from potentially containing MSG. A few of the common foods that regularly contain MSG are:

Many of these food items seem relatively safe at first glance, yet all are known to contain high amounts of MSG. The greater the amount of its consumption, the higher the risk for developing potential health dangers that are associated with MSG.

Alternative Names of MSG

Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) is hidden within many other substance names. When purchasing food items, care should be taken to read the nutritional information provided on the food's label. Some of the names to watch out for are free glutamic acid, glutamate, monopotassium glutamate, hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein (HVP), vegetable protein extract, and Senomyx which is a wheat extract.

Avoiding MSG and Similar Additives

The only method of avoiding consumption of MSG is to vigilantly read food labels, research via the internet, and limiting the amount of fast foods that are consumed. Humans are always searching for ways to safely improve the taste and nutritional values of favorite foods that are typically unhealthy choices to begin with. By choosing to adopt a more health-conscious diet, the dangers of MSG consumption will no longer be able to have and cause such ill effects.