How MSG Got A Bad Rap: Flawed Science And Xenophobia

[GotGarlic]

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/how-msg-got-a-bad-rap-flawed-science-and-xenophobia/

Five Thirty-Eight is a website run by Nate Silver, who is a data analyst. Very interesting stuff.

 

[Andy M.]

Interesting indeed. I'm one who agrees with the article. The fear of MSG exploded because of bad science and media exploitation.

 

[Dawgluver]

Very interesting. Thanks, GG.

 

[Kayelle]

Velly interesting GG. It all makes sense to me, but I've been using it for my cooking all along. One sentence I found particularly interesting..

Subsequent research has found that the vast majority of people, even those claiming a sensitivity to MSG, don’t have any reaction when they don’t know they are eating it.

 

[GotGarlic]

I liked that one, too, Kayelle - and the description of the nocebo effect.

 

[Kayelle]

I liked that one, too, Kayelle - and the description of the nocebo effect.

Yes, I followed the link also to read about the nocebo effect. That stuff fascinates me.

 

[taxlady]

I used to be sensitive to MSG. I first noticed it before it was something that everyone had heard of, before I had heard of it. I was always a bit sceptical about the hype, because the so-called MSG headache isn't really a headache. It's a weird pulling of the muscles around the edge of the face and hairline and can cover the entire scalp. I wouldn't call it painful, just weird. So, I strictly avoided MSG for decades. I actually found Chinese restos to be the surest place to avoid MSG. Tell them you don't want it, they don't put it in the food. They don't try to sneak a little bit in that you "probably won't notice".

I don't seem to have the sensitivity any more. I discovered that when the local Chinese buffet quit having a "No MSG table". They simply cut down in general on the MSG. I gave it a try and had no reaction.

I still avoid it, but not with any vehemence. Too much and it can give a weird, off flavour. I find the weird flavour similar to the weird flavour of potassium chloride, which my mother used for a while as a table salt substitute.

It was never an allergy. There is no histamine reaction. It's a food sensitivity.