MSG - Monosodium Glutamate

Discussion in 'General Discussions' started by junkant, Aug 22, 2007.

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  1. junkant

    junkant Level III

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    What does everyone think of MSG?
    Should companies be able to use it on their products even though it has so many bad side effects?
    You find it your chips, and other junk foods.
    It enhances the flavor but it also has many side effects. Obesity, weakness, chest pains, and so on...
     
  2. she_devil101

    she_devil101 Level IV

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    Aren't most places saying "MSG-Free!" nowadays? I'd say if it's so bad for you, that it's probably best to not use it...
     
  3. moncristo

    moncristo Newbie

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    i think it's bad
     
  4. junkant

    junkant Level III

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    Can you please explain why you think it's bad.
    Otherwise your answer is just spam because you are suppose to debate it.
    Like the fact once you start eat some of the chips that contain MSG it's hard to stop.
     
  5. Commy

    Commy Moderator
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    I find it funny that the FDA found that MSG was 'generally recognized as safe'. That was about 50 year ago. Now although it hasn't been proven, but high doses of MSG may cause eye damage. It has happened in rats, but not so much in adults. I reckon MSG is fine in moderate doses for adults, but infants and kids should stay away from it. As for it causing obesity, it was shown to cause MSG in rats, but has yet to be proven in humans. So yeah, if you're worried about MSG so much, stay away from all those chips and other foods i suppose! You said that once you start, it's hard to stop. Just don't start!!
     
  6. Phee

    Phee Moderator
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    I think that until the FDA releases any solid infromation on it, I'm not trusting any of these sketchy independent studies- who knows if they're regulated or not? Are the rats kept in separate cages and fed ad monitored, or in a big ol' box and fed only MSG? And about these 'high levels,' how high? We have no idea whether they mean two grams higher than usual, or two pounds.
     
  7. natskaya

    natskaya Level III

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    My mother can always tell if a place has MSG in its food because she gets a headache. More often than not when that happens the slogan "MSG free!" is nowhere to be found. I think it's an unnecessary ingredient - I make great food at home without using it, why can't a restaurant do the same?
     
  8. Phee

    Phee Moderator
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    Simply ask! Most good restaurants will simply not put MSG into your food if you only ask. MSG isn't something that's injected into the food, or 'built' in, they're salt-like crystals that is put into food as it is cooked.
     
  9. Fendi

    Fendi Level IV

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    I know that a lot is put into Chinese food over here because it's not really Chinese food. I think it shouldn't be allowed to be honest I want to eat food with the taste of the food I'm eating.
     
  10. Smelly

    Smelly Level IV

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    Imo if it tastes good I'm not really fussed what goes into it. Personally I love any type of additive, and any kind of liquidised bulls bones or whatever they put in Maccy D's.

    Always gotta have a balance though.
     
  11. Virre

    Virre Level IV

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    I always wanted to know the name of the stuff that makes me want to eat more crisps even though I know that they don't taste that good. :p
    Maybe we should start putting it in health food?
     
  12. Commy

    Commy Moderator
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    Haha, I guess that would defeat the purpose of eating health food in the first place, putting MSG into it that is. And it only enhances the flavour of any salty food. So I guess...you wouldn't want to add it to icecream or something
     
  13. junkant

    junkant Level III

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    Yes it only enhances salty foods.
    It can used as a salt in a way but with bad side effects.
    Healthy foods usually get their flavors stocks and vegetables.
     
  14. Devin!?

    Devin!? Newbie

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    I think it is bad, because of all the side effects. There are many healthy ways to enhance flavors in my opinion.
     
  15. punkeydew

    punkeydew Level IV

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    Personally I don't think MSG has any real bad side effect. It has no nutritional value... So it does not cause obesity and such.

    The real scare is if you are allergic to it. That is why it is such a big thing. If you are even a little alergic it can cause very bad effects or even death.

    I think it is a bad thing to put into food because it is misleading.

    MSG causes the brain to think that something taste good. Plus believe it or not... MSG is highly addictive...
    * ever find yourself eating some snack food and realize you just can't stop.... check the ingredients... I bet it has MSG.
     
  16. bladeoftalwar

    bladeoftalwar Level IV

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    i think the product should have an MSG-free one, and a regular one. then the customer can decide if the unhealthiness is worth the extra taste
     
  17. Phee

    Phee Moderator
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    Companies would rather slip in MSG without us knowing and reap the high profits. I for one don't read ingredient labels very often.
     
  18. junkant

    junkant Level III

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    I used to munch on Doritos until I read it has MSG.
    Now i try to avoid them.
     
  19. Frozshtaliar

    Frozshtaliar Level II

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    I don't have too big of a problem with it in my opinion the side effects arent that bad
     
  20. Commy

    Commy Moderator
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    Companies WOULD like to slip in MSG without us knowing, but that would be illegal!
     
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