Is long-term consumption of MSG harmful to the body?

In cooking, MSG is often used to add umami flavor to food. However, there has always been debate about whether long-term consumption of MSG is harmful to the body.

MSG, chemically known as monosodium glutamate, was first extracted from kelp and is now mainly produced through microbial fermentation. Glutamic acid is an amino acid that naturally exists in many foods, such as tomatoes, mushrooms, cheese, etc., while sodium is an essential element for the human body.

Some people worry that long-term consumption of MSG will have various adverse effects on the body. One common concern is that MSG can cause "monosodium glutamate syndrome", which manifests as symptoms such as headaches, flushing, sweating, and palpitations. However, there is currently no conclusive scientific evidence to support this claim. Large-scale scientific studies have shown that only a very small number of people may experience some mild discomfort after consuming large amounts of MSG, but this is often related to individual differences rather than a universal phenomenon.

From a nutritional point of view, MSG itself does not contain high calories, high fat or high cholesterol, which are unhealthy. Moreover, using MSG in moderation can reduce the amount of salt, because the nucleotides and glutamate ions in MSG have the effect of "enhancing saltiness". Excessive salt intake increases the risk of chronic diseases such as high blood pressure and heart disease, so replacing part of the salt with MSG is good for health.

In addition, some people believe that MSG can cause damage to the nervous system. But in fact, under normal consumption, the effect of MSG on the nervous system is minimal. There is currently no scientific research to prove that MSG can cause neurological diseases.

Of course, this does not mean that you can consume MSG without limit. MSG contains sodium, and excessive intake of sodium can have adverse effects on health. Therefore, you should pay attention to the amount of MSG you use, especially for those who already have high blood pressure, kidney disease, etc., who need to control their sodium intake.