MSG - the special ingredient that makes food addictively tasty, won't actually hurt you...

Despite what some of its opponents have long claimed, Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) may have nothing to do with those headaches you get after eating Chinese food, and may not be bad for you at all.

A post by Alan Levinovitz in New Scientist brought to our attention the data showing that MSG sensitivity is, for most people, only in their heads.

Despite the persistent absence of any scientific evidence, some people claim to suffer from a sensitivity to the food additive, which is used in everything from Asian cuisines, to American fast food and packaged snacks.

Sufferers describe symptoms such as headaches, feeling flushed, and sweating after eating food containing the additive according to Mayo Clinic nutritionist Katherine Zeratsky.

Any symptoms they claim to experience are mild, don't require an ambulance, and don't seem to have lasting effects. Others seem to only show symptoms when they know they are eating MSG — suggesting it's a placebo effect. Full story...

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