In this blog post, we will look at how the controversy over the harmful effects of MSG began and examine the differences between scientific facts and public perception.
Everyone has heard the term MSG at least once. Even people who are not interested in food will think that MSG is a substance that is bad for the body if they see “no MSG added” written in large letters on a bag of snacks or ramen noodles. However, the idea that MSG is harmful may be a misconception based on misinformation. In fact, there is currently a debate over whether MSG is truly harmful.
First, MSG refers to monosodium glutamate. It is made by mixing and diluting a chemical additive containing more than 50% L-glutamic acid sodium with one or more of the following: spices (powder, juice, or extract), sodium chloride (table salt), starch, glucose, sugar, or textrin. MSG, commonly known as Miwon in Korea, is widely used in everyday life as a seasoning to enhance the natural flavor of food during food processing and cooking. However, in the late 1960s, MSG began to be recognized as a harmful substance when it was reported in the United States to cause various side effects such as headaches, muscle spasms, and nausea. At the time, people believed that MSG had a significant impact on the nervous system and caused obesity and diabetes, so its use should be reduced. As a result, restaurants and companies that did not use MSG or reduced its use began to appear. In fact, a TV program featured a segment called “Good Restaurants,” which sought out restaurants that used only natural seasonings instead of MSG. If you watched this program, you would naturally think that MSG is harmful to the body.
However, contrary to popular belief, the Food and Drug Administration officially announced that MSG is not harmful and is safe to consume in any amount. Although MSG is an artificially produced seasoning, it is made from glutamic acid extracted from sugar cane and fermented, so it is naturally derived. Furthermore, the main ingredient of MSG, monosodium glutamate, is found not only in artificial seasonings but also in natural seasonings, so there is no significant difference between natural seasonings and MSG in terms of ingredients. Even though they contain the same glutamic acid, whether it is artificially made or not does not determine its harmfulness. In addition, the glutamic acid in MSG is one of the essential amino acids that make up the human body and is even found in large amounts in breast milk, tomatoes, cheese, and other natural foods that are high in protein. If MSG is a dangerous substance, then the substances mentioned above are also dangerous substances. Furthermore, even if MSG is consumed in large quantities, it is not stored in the body but is used as energy and disappears, so there is less risk of it remaining in the body than other chemical foods. On the contrary, there is an opinion that the use of MSG can reduce sodium intake, which can have a positive effect on the health of people in Korea, who consume large amounts of sodium. People who have experienced side effects from MSG did not consume MSG alone, so other factors must have also played a role. Therefore, it is difficult to say that the side effects were caused solely by MSG.
In addition, recent studies further support the safety of MSG. For example, a 2018 study investigated the effects of MSG on brain activity and confirmed that it is not harmful to the human body. This study proved that long-term consumption of MSG does not affect brain function or the nervous system, showing that the negative perception of MSG is based on social prejudice rather than scientific evidence.
Of course, there are claims that naturally occurring glutamic acid and artificially produced MSG, despite having the same composition, act differently in the body. However, this has not yet been proven. It is possible that future advances in science and technology may reveal harmful effects, but to date, studies by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have found no evidence that MSG is harmful. Although it has been quite some time since studies proving that MSG is harmless were published, many people still believe that MSG is bad for you. Therefore, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety is conducting extensive publicity campaigns to correct this misconception. Whether to consume MSG or avoid it is a personal choice. However, it is important not to misunderstand that MSG is bad for the body. In fact, MSG is not harmful and has been unfairly maligned.
Recently, some countries have been emphasizing the positive effects of MSG and actively promoting its use. For example, some Asian countries, such as Japan, claim that MSG plays an important role in enhancing the umami flavor of food, and they want to maximize the taste of their cuisine through its use. This trend is expected to change perceptions of MSG and contribute to the development of a richer food culture.
As such, the controversy surrounding MSG is not simply a matter of food additives, but is deeply related to the reliability of the information we encounter in our daily lives. Therefore, it is important for individuals to make wise choices based on accurate information. In the future, we hope that more research and information will be provided to establish a clear understanding of MSG, so that consumers can use it with confidence.
In conclusion, contrary to past misconceptions, MSG is recognized as a safe food additive. It is necessary to recognize that the information we believe may not always be correct and to make wise consumption choices based on scientific evidence. We hope that you will enjoy a healthy and delicious diet by properly utilizing MSG based on an accurate understanding of it.
