There have been a lot of queries on the use of MSG on everyday food of the people. In MSG Truth, debates even surfaced as to the authenticity of this substance as being just a food enhancer and do not give any adverse reaction to the people who have digested it. A Chinese Restaurant Syndrome was even coined to side effects that were allegedly experienced by consumers of Chinese food that were famous for using this food additive. To understand and not be misled of the false information readily available around especially in the internet, here are top questions about MSG truth and the accurate answers to them.
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What is MSG?
MSG or monosodium glutamate is a type of sodium salt that comes from amino acids of protein. Glutamate can be found naturally in protein rich foods such as meat, vegetables, shellfish, seaweed, mushrooms and cheese. Amino acid is one of the building blocks of the body to make it function properly. So glutamate is one substance that is naturally occurring in food that people eat and in the body as well.
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Where did MSG came from?
What makes MSG the processed glutamate is that it was first extracted in crystallized form by a professor from Tokyo Imperial University from seaweed named kumbo. There was evidence of a distinctive taste in soups that contain such seaweed making the dish taste good for the Asian people particularly Japanese and Chinese, which gave the name of the fifth taste, umami. It was not salty, sweet, bitter or sour but just the right savor to one’s palate. From that extraction of the glutamate, Mr. Ikeda, the Tokyo professor have the substance patented and created a market for the now commercially known food additive, which is monosodium glutamate.
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Is it safe to use and add MSG?
Monosodium glutamate is safe to use to any dish especially in the meat dishes, sauces and other main courses. Many organizations both private and government sponsored were able to conclude that MSG is declared safe. Such government agencies are the US Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), Health Canada, Food Standards Australia New Zealand, United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, World Health Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives and Scientific Committee for Food of the European Communities among other many teams that made thorough investigations, research and studies of monosodium glutamate and its safety. After all the word fights over this common food additive, the conclusion is still what is followed. That is, MSG is considered generally regarded as safe.
