[Netherrealmer]

Growing up, I kept hearing, “Stop eating Chinese food! MSG will kill you!” Because, apparently, flavor is the gateway drug to doom. Let’s set the record straight: MSG is not the villain you were told it is. Your body already contains MSG naturally. Eat a tomato, a mushroom, or some cheese—you’re basically doing shots of MSG every day.

What Is MSG, Really?

MSG, or monosodium glutamate, is science’s way of saying, “Hey, this food tastes good, deal with it.” Japanese chemist Kikunae Ikeda discovered it in 1908 by boiling seaweed, because apparently nature was trying to tell us, “You’ll like this.” Later, industrial production moved to sugarcane, because seaweed is expensive, and capitalism. Fun fact: your favorite savory flavors are already packed with MSG; you just didn’t pay attention.

The Infamous Animal Experiments

Ah yes, the “MSG will kill you” studies: scientists injected newborn mice and puppies with doses so absurdly high, you’d think they were preparing for a chemical apocalypse. Some animals got sick. Shocking. Meanwhile, humans are eating MSG in food, not intravenously like it’s a science experiment cocktail. Imagine injecting lemon juice into your veins—suddenly, MSG’s reputation looks a little unfair.

Salt vs. MSG: The Battle Royale

Here’s the kicker: MSG has about one-third the sodium of table salt. That’s right. You can flavor your food without sending your blood pressure into orbit. I personally ditched salt and embraced MSG. So far, my arteries are still on speaking terms with me.

So Why the Hysteria?

When Chinese restaurants started booming in the U.S., xenophobia did what it does best: blame foreigners. A single anecdotal letter coined “Chinese Restaurant Syndrome,” and suddenly MSG was public enemy number one. Modern research? Turns out the scary symptoms were mostly people blaming tasty food for their own overindulgence.

The Bottom Line

MSG is safe, makes food taste amazing, and can even help you reduce sodium. If MSG were truly dangerous, how come Asian countries—where MSG has been a staple for decades—consistently rank among the healthiest and longest-living populations in the world?

So yes, MSG is safe. Yes, it’s delicious. And yes, anyone still warning you about it is probably just mad they can’t taste properly.

If you want, I can make an even punchier “snark meter 11/10” version with one-liners like: “MSG didn’t ruin your life. Your fear of flavor did.” and “Injecting MSG into puppies? Sure, that’s a normal human diet.” It would read almost like a stand-up rant. Do you want me to do that next?

[Fergal]

I enjoy Chinese food so it is good to read that MSG is not bad for you. It is difficult to know what to eat, it seems like for almost every food, there is a source which says it is bad for you.

[Netherrealmer]

sugar and salt causes more harm than msg did

[Spontaneo]

My Jr. High School science teacher told we students not to consume MSG, but I forget his reason.

[Netherrealmer]

Well they grew up with the dated info used to destroy reputation of Chinese restaurants

[kat82]

When I was young, I used not to think that sometimes food can be harmful to our health. But as I aged, I now know that certain foods are harmful especially when one's body responds badly to eat. I only eat foods that I know are good to me.

[Angie10]

Even if it were, so many other things are bad for you in large quantities, even though our bodies need them, right? Sugar, oil, fruit etc. I love Chinese food so much, I'd refuse to completely give it up I'm more about eating everything in moderation. Even good food such as fibre and carbs can be unhealthy, leading to ill health or discomfort, if consumed in large quantities.

[Netherrealmer]

While compared to salt and sugar, MSG is definitely healthier. And if you take MSG over salt on your food, you will have less sodium on your body.

[bestwriter]

I stopped adding MSG in my Chinese cooking after I read about how harmful it is What you have found out not many know. It is now for those who make MSG to talk about it loud enough for those like me to get convinced.

I am not convinced yet

[Netherrealmer]

Japanese people invented MSG and they have the highest consumption of MSG in the world. And look at them, they have the highest lifespan in the world. MSG is found on mushrooms, MSG is found on seaweeds, MSG is found on sugar canes. So it's not really a harmful thing to the body. And it caused harm back then because they injected it to the dogs. Consuming is different from injecting. Also back then, the American diners were so threatened by Chinese restaurants that they say something bad about MSG. But I actually became more healthier when I dropped the salt and replaced it with MSG. I haven't used salt in years and I just use MSG instead.

[bestwriter]

You could easily be an Ambassador for MSG.

[Netherrealmer]

We'll definitely fight for MSG because so many people got manipulated by the myth that MSG is bad for you when it's something the food we eat actually have. If you eat cheese, it has MSG. If you eat tomatoes, it has MSG. If you eat mushrooms, it has MSG. If you eat certain fruits, it has MSG. Almost every food we eat naturally have MSG. It's not harmful as people say. And mostly, the unhealthy part of the Chinese food is not MSG but the cooking oil instead. The deep frying is the unhealthy part of the Chinese food. And Chinese cuisine is not the only one that uses MSG. Japan uses MSG. South Korea uses MSG. Italian food uses MSG. Mexican food uses MSG. Even if they said that they do not use MSG, certain fruits and vegetables have MSG on its own.

[bestwriter]

May be it is not good in its concentratedf form

[Netherrealmer]

It's not bad at all. Also, I know MSG is associated with Chinese cuisine, but almost every restaurant uses MSG. But MSG is not bad for you, even in its concentrated form. The only reason why they said MSG is bad is because in the 1940s, they tried an experiment where they injected MSG to the bloodstream of dogs. Injecting is different from eating. If I injected lemon juice on a person, that lemon juice, which is known to be healthy, will harm the person too, because you're not supposed to have lemon juice on your blood. Also, even your body is full of MSG. Yes, the human body is full of MSG, so MSG is not bad at all. The only reason why they tried to demonize MSG is because back then, many American restaurants are threatened with Chinese restaurants. They were threatened that more people eat in Chinese restaurants than their bland diners. Basically, the demonization of MSG is just racism and jealousy of white people because they're being beaten by Chinese restaurants. It's just like how they want to get rid of Mexicans in 1940s, so they said that marijuana is bad for you, that it will make you violent even though it won't, so they can get rid of Mexican people. It's just white people demonizing things. But look at white people now, they are now the ones who is overhyping Asian food. They eat edamame, they drink matcha, and now they're obsessing with ube. It's the white people who is overhyping Asian cuisine now. But back then, they love to demonize things that are from Asia and Mexico.

All those so-called researches back then that says MSG is bad for you are just paid research by American restaurant associations to demonize Asian cuisine. The claim that MSG is bad for you is rooted in racism.

[germainebull]

Ah yes, the “MSG will kill you” studies: scientists injected newborn mice and puppies with doses so absurdly high, you’d think they were preparing for a chemical apocalypse. Some animals got sick. Shocking. Meanwhile, humans are eating MSG in food, not intravenously like it’s a science experiment cocktail. Imagine injecting lemon juice into your veins—suddenly, MSG’s reputation looks a little unfair.

I agree that the MSG reports are misleading. Scientists injected cats with enough needles to kill the animals.

But we humans use MSG in food, not through injections. Even hard salt will kill you if you use it in large quantities.

The truth is that MSG is a safe ingredient if you use it in moderation. Most people can smell potatoes with the same amount of MSG without any problems.

The one who has an axe does not lack wood. MSG has become an insult without any reason. Use it with respect and you will continue to cook with great taste.

[Netherrealmer]

Here are proofs msg is not bad for you:

from Harvard:
https://www.health.harvard.edu/nutritio ... contain-it

Another medical Journal:
https://rightasrain.uwmedicine.org/body ... -unhealthy

The ever trusted Mayoclinic:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-life ... q-20058196

Every claim that MSG is bad for you rooted from racism because back in the 1940s, restaurants owned by Caucasian business owners are threatened by Chinese restaurants because they're cheaper and more delicious than their generic burgers and mac and cheese.

[germainebull]

I enjoy Chinese food so it is good to read that MSG is not bad for you. It is difficult to know what to eat, it seems like for almost every food, there is a source which says it is bad for you.

Chinese food is indeed delicious. What you hear about MSG is true and has no health effects. Many people are afraid without knowing the truth.

Don't be afraid of everything you eat because there is a lot of false information. Your body knows what foods are best for you.

Eat all foods in moderation. At the end of the day, good health comes from a complete diet, not avoiding natural foods.

[Fergal]

Thanks for posting a popular article Netherrealmer, sending ForumCoin now