# Straight Dope: MSG **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 31, 2012, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-msg/629914 "2012-07-31T02:03:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-msg/629914/1 "2012-07-31T02:03:28Z")
While reading this thread, > **[Fake Chick Fil A](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=660118)** > > I read here and there that the trick to making a homemade chicken sandwich that tastes like Chick Fil A is to marinate the chicken in pickle juice for an hour or two first. I’m trying it out. I’ll let you know how it goes. (Doing one batch with... and a link inside the thread, I wondered…MSG, good, bad, or indifferent? What’s the straight dope on MSG? ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-msg/629914/2 "2012-07-31T02:09:35Z")
My understanding is that it’s an additive to food that says to your taste buds “Hey, this tastes good. You should eat more of it.” Without actually tasting good or providing any food value. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-msg/629914/3 "2012-07-31T02:10:14Z")
It’s harmless, but there’s been a bunch of anecdotal-only evidence that it causes problems for some people, which has no proven basis despite years tests and research. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-msg/629914/4 "2012-07-31T02:13:16Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > My understanding is that it’s an additive to food that says to your taste buds “Hey, this tastes good. You should eat more of it.” Without actually tasting good or providing any food value. Obviously it tastes good to some people or they wouldn’t add it to their food. As for “food value”, you could say the same about any spice. Is oregano an essential nutrient? ---
**Author:** ![Michael63129](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3da27b/32.png) [@Michael63129](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael63129)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-msg/629914/5 "2012-07-31T17:55:02Z")
MSG (monosodium glutamate, is just a free form (not part of a protein) of the amino acid [glutamic acid](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glutamic_acid), which can be found in numerous foods, as it is a component of protein (many foods that claim to have no MSG will have a footnote like "except that which naturally occurs in yeast, soy, etc). While not an essential amino acid (your body can produce it if it needs it), it is necessary for cellular metabolism and brain function. > [@](#): > > All meats, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy products, and kombu are excellent sources of glutamic acid. Some protein-rich plant foods also serve as sources. Thirty to 35% of the protein in wheat is glutamic acid. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-msg/629914/6 "2012-07-31T19:21:58Z")
I’m still mad about it. They never should have let them tear down the classic Penn Station just to put up a freaking sports arena. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-msg/629914/7 "2012-07-31T19:25:02Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > While reading this thread, > [Fake Chick Fil A - Cafe Society - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=660118) > and a link inside the thread, I wondered…MSG, good, bad, or indifferent? > What’s the straight dope on MSG? > [@Ethilrist](#): > > My understanding is that it’s an additive to food that says to your taste buds “Hey, this tastes good. You should eat more of it.” Without actually tasting good or providing any food value. IOW, it’s GOOD! ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-msg/629914/8 "2012-07-31T19:40:10Z")
It’s my favorite food additive. And perhaps in very rare circumstances, totally harmless. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-msg/629914/9 "2012-07-31T20:36:26Z")
> [@cmyk](#): > > It’s my favorite food additive. And perhaps in very rare circumstances, totally harmless. Did you mean “except in very rare circumstances”? I use MSG as an ingredient as I do salt and other seasonings. I don’t add it to everything, but a little Accent here and there lifts certain dishes and gives them a fullness of flavor. I’m all in favor of MSG. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-msg/629914/10 "2012-07-31T20:39:28Z")
I have a cousin who won’t eat at Chinese restaurants. She says the MSG they add to the food makes her “break out in a sweat.” I find this interesting, since she has no problem eating fast food (e.g. Taco Bell, KFC) and has a freezer full of processed foods. All of which contain MSG. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-msg/629914/11 "2012-07-31T21:05:46Z")
There’s someone in my extended family who claims that MSG makes his mouth go numb. I am skeptical. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-msg/629914/12 "2012-07-31T22:11:30Z")
Acronyms are evil (AAE). Especially so when they expand out to something sciency-sounding. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-msg/629914/13 "2012-07-31T22:31:19Z")
> [@Smeghead](#): > > There’s someone in my extended family who claims that MSG makes his mouth go numb. I am skeptical. He should probably sprinkle it in/on food, not push giant scoopfulls in his mouth. I was just pondering this thread topic. So, MSG has similar pros and cons to table salt? ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-msg/629914/14 "2012-07-31T22:53:18Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Did you mean “except in very rare circumstances” Yes, I did. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-msg/629914/15 "2012-07-31T23:52:28Z")
Previous threads: > **[How do you feel about MSG?](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=626369)** > > Just curious about the intimate details of your relationship with MSG. Me personally, I do like how it makes food taste, but I don’t like how it makes me feel and I don’t think it’s good for me, so I avoid it. But man, it’s in a ton of stuff! How... > **[MSG -- Why such the bad rap?](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=325757)** > > Monosodium Glutamate is delicious. I’ve been thinking about getting a shaker of it for the kitchen. But I know there is a stigma attached to its usage in a lot of processed foods and junk food. Would this be a bad idea if I added a little to some... ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2012, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-msg/629914/16 "2012-08-01T00:14:54Z")
Re: the second link. Told’ja I loved the stuff. ---
**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2012, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-msg/629914/17 "2012-08-01T01:13:45Z")
Doesn’t it cause thirst and may cause headaches in some people? ---
**Author:** ![Michael63129](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3da27b/32.png) [@Michael63129](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael63129)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2012, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-msg/629914/18 "2012-08-01T02:03:17Z")
> [@AaronX](#): > > Doesn’t it cause thirst and may cause headaches in some people? According to [this comment](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=6376356&postcount=37) in the second link that **Crafter\_Man** posted, it is the salt that causes symptoms, not MSG: > [@](#): > > Third: Chinese Restaraunt Syndrome has a cause other than MSG. I controlled study with “MSG Sensitive” people revealed that if people don’t know there is MSG in the food, then they have no symptoms. Furthermore, they found that if the food contained a large amount of NaCl, the Syndrome appeared. If you look at the symptoms of Chinese Restaraunt Syndrome, they are parallel to those of dehydration. The last few comments also point to the fact that nitrites are often used in foods blamed on causing MSG reactions (and unlike MSG, there are real health-related reasons to avoid nitrites, [at when added to processed meat](http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/news/20100517/processed-meat-linked-to-heart-disease-risks), since they naturally occur in large amounts in vegetables). ---
**Author:** ![Batsinma\_Belfry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea5d25/32.png) [@Batsinma\_Belfry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Batsinma_Belfry)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2012, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-msg/629914/19 "2012-08-03T08:04:31Z")
It has the exact taste and mouth feel as snot. Don’t even pretend you’ve never tasted snot. The headache it gives me, feels exactly like a sinus headache. Maybe it is snot. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2012, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-msg/629914/20 "2012-08-03T18:38:27Z")
> [@Batsinma\_Belfry](#): > > It has the exact taste and mouth feel as snot. Don’t even pretend you’ve never tasted snot. > > The headache it gives me, feels exactly like a sinus headache. Maybe it is snot. :dubious: Unless you’ve tasted it in tomatoes, you’re tasting something else. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-msg/629914.md?page=2)