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Question
10 Dec 2002
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MSG
Hi
I drink a Cup of Soup everyday. I have heard that this soup contains "MSG" which is apparantly not good for you, it can give you head aches. What is this MSG and is it safe to keep drinking this soup?
Thank you!
I drink a Cup of Soup everyday. I have heard that this soup contains "MSG" which is apparantly not good for you, it can give you head aches. What is this MSG and is it safe to keep drinking this soup?
Thank you!
DietDoc
Dear Misha
MSG stands for monosodium glutamate, which is used as a flavour enhancer. There has been a lot of media hype about MSG lately, but scientific research has shown that most of the claims made in these media articles is either not true or wildly exaggerated. While a tiny fraction of the population may be sensitive to MSG and develop symptoms like headache or asthma, our own bodies produce glutamate and it occurs naturally in many, many foods such as tomatoes, soybeans, mushrooms and even in mother's milk. Once ingested the human body cannot differentiate between glutamate derived from MSG or glutamate derived from tomatoes, etc. If you don't develop headaches when you drink your soup, then you need not be worried.
Regards
DietDoc
MSG stands for monosodium glutamate, which is used as a flavour enhancer. There has been a lot of media hype about MSG lately, but scientific research has shown that most of the claims made in these media articles is either not true or wildly exaggerated. While a tiny fraction of the population may be sensitive to MSG and develop symptoms like headache or asthma, our own bodies produce glutamate and it occurs naturally in many, many foods such as tomatoes, soybeans, mushrooms and even in mother's milk. Once ingested the human body cannot differentiate between glutamate derived from MSG or glutamate derived from tomatoes, etc. If you don't develop headaches when you drink your soup, then you need not be worried.
Regards
DietDoc
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