The Much Maligned MSG (monosodium glutamate) is a sad story of misinformation and unreasonable fear. I think it all started way back in the 1960s and 70s when Chinese restaurants started opening across the US. That cuisine with it’s unique super unctuous flavor became all the rage. But some people who developed headaches for one reason or another after eating at these establishments chocked it up to the the MSG commonly used. A comprehensive 2016 review of studies as published by the National Institutes of Health failed to conclude that the MSG present in food causes headache. Read on for more facts on the much maligned natural substance. 😊

Here are some of the most common foods containing monosodium glutamate (mg / 100g):

• Corn…106
• Potatoes…102
• Broccoli…176
• Green peas…106
• Tomatoes…246
• Mushrooms…180
• Chinese cabbage (Napa)…100
• Fresh tomato juice…260
• Grape juice…258       
• Walnuts…658
• Cow’s milk…2
• Human (mother’s) milk…22
• Egg yolks…46
• Chicken…22
• Beef…10          
• Cured ham…337        
• Pork…9             
• Oysters…137
• Fish (mackerel)..215
• Shrimp…43    
• Scallops…159
• Oyster sauce…900
• Soy sauce…1264
• Roquefort cheese…1280      
• Parmesan cheese…1680
• Cheddar cheese…182
• Green tea…32

As for weight gain, how often have you seen obese Chinese people? Even though peoples of the Mediterranean region don’t necessarily add it to their cuisine, the foods they eat are naturally rich in monosodium glutamate. And most American restaurants are using it, too. Italian tomato sauces and parmesan cheese are loaded. That umami flavor makes food worth eating!

There are many outlets raising alarm bells and spreading misinformation. Although I don’t adhere to research wherein rats pumped with whatever substance science wants to prove demonstrable ill-effects in humans, this study dispels all the ones that say MSG causes weight gain. Anything can be proved if you keep re-working the formula until it does.

The following facts are yours to take or leave. You can leave the MSG out of any/all the recipes in which I’ve listed it as an ingredient, but your food may not taste as fantastic as I claim mine to be. 😁

---

From MSG Facts:

We consume between 10g and 20g of glutamate from our diet, of which glutamate from seasoning or condiments is less than 10%. [Adding MSG to food super enhances the flavor and makes it taste fantastic rather than just okay.]

Monosodium glutamate is the sodium salt of amino acids found in protein rich foods. It is found naturally in many foods [like tomatoes] and can also be added to foods to enhance flavor. MSG in the crystal form is produced by fermentation, a process similar to that used in making wine, vinegar and yogurt. Carbohydrates from corn or sugar cane are fermented to produce glutamate, which is purified and crystallized before drying. The finished product is a pure, white crystal which dissolves easily and blends well in many recipes.

The body treats glutamate in exactly the same way whether it comes from the food we eat or is added as seasoning in the form of monosodium glutamate (MSG).

Glutamate is important for healthy metabolism. However, most of the dietary glutamate we consume is used as fuel by the cells of the digestive system.

Increasing the umami taste in food by increasing the level of free glutamate can result in salt (sodium)-reduced and fat-reduced recipes which still taste satisfying.

Reducing table salt by using MSG reduces the sodium content of recipes, as MSG has two-thirds less sodium than table salt.

Only a small amount of added glutamate is required to optimize umami taste; using more won’t do you any harm but, as with salt, the food might not taste as good.

The extensive body of research which exists about this widely used ingredient has been reviewed by independent scientists and regulatory authorities throughout the world – all have found MSG to be safe.
 
Numerous well-conducted scientific studies confirm that MSG is not related to any adverse health effects [such as headaches and weight gain] and is safe for the general public to consume.

http://www.glutamate.org

---

In conclusion, don’t be afraid of MSG! You’ve been eating it your whole life and didn’t even know it. 😊 The most popular recipe on this blog that’s loaded with it is Copycat Hurriburgers with Cheese. Those unique loose-meat sandwiches are simply incredible. You’ll never taste anything like them! Don’t be afraid to give that recipe a try. 💯

Happy eating! ❤️

Copycat Bluebird Deep Fried Croutons