MSG: What the science says about its safety

 Monosodium glutamate (MSG) continues to be a controversial food additive used around the world. In this Honest Nutrition feature, we explain the benefits and risks of MSG and dispel popular myths.

MSG, also known as the fifth taste or umamiTrusted Source, is the sodium salt of glutamate — an amino acid naturally occurring in many foods and food additivesTrusted Source and an important building block of protein in the body.

GlutamateTrusted Source was discovered from kombu seaweed in 1908 by Japanese professor of physical chemistry, Prof. Kikunae Ikeda. He later extracted the amino acid, dissolved it in water, and neutralized it with sodium hydroxide to form MSG.

Glutamate itself is bitter, but MSG has a unique flavor that led Ikeda to coin the term umamiTrusted Source, expanding upon four basic tastesTrusted Source: sweet, salty, bitter, and sour.

MSG occurs naturallyTrusted Source in various foods, such as carrot, onion, cabbage, potato, egg yolk, cheese, soy sauce, anchovies, and shrimp.

It is also produced through the fermentationTrusted Source of animal-based or plant-based foods, including molasses, sugarcane, sugar beet, beans, mushrooms, and seaweed.

Uses of MSG

MSG is used as a food additive and flavor enhancer either in the form of pure monosodium saltTrusted Source or from hydrolyzed protein products, such as vegetable protein.

It was widely accepted and used in Asian countries since its discovery but has been received with less skepticismTrusted Source in Western countries only in the second half of the 20th century.

It is commonly added to restaurant foods to enhanceTrusted Source their palatability. More recently, it has supplemented processed foods, such as frozen meals, canned tuna, dietary supplements, salad dressing, and infant formula.

In agriculture, it is used in combination with other ingredients and sold as AuxiGro, which is a fertilizer, pesticide, and plant primer whose role is to increase crop yield.

Debunking MSG myths

Myth: MSG is high in salt, or sodium

Fact: Sodium is an important nutrient the body needs in small amounts to maintain blood volume and blood pressure. However, expertsTrusted Source associate excess intake of sodium with high blood pressure and an increased risk of heart disease.

Unlike regular table salt, which is 40% sodium, MSG contains only 12% sodium, which is one-third the amount in table salt. ResearchersTrusted Source have also explored MSG as a viable alternative to salt to reduce sodium intake and improve public health through a reduced risk of hypertension.

Source: Medical News Today