You’ve probably seen signs for it, most likely at an establishment that serves Chinese food, but do you even know what it is they’re advertising that isn’t cooked in your food? The sign you’ve seen probably says something to the effect of, “Food cooked here contains no MSG.” We, as consumers see this and it brings a smile to your faces, as we assume that MSG is bad for us and it not being in our food is a good thing. While this is true, most of us don’t even know what MSG is, what the acronym stands for, and why it’s bad for us or for that matter, which foods it is unfortunately found in.

MSG, or Monosodium Glutamate, is a form of concentrated salt added to foods to enhance the flavor. This salt version of glutamic acid is an amino acid the body can produce on its own, but the MSG we find on store shelves is processed and comes from fermented sugar beets. Shockingly, MSG is still used quite frequently in everything from hamburger helper, a select variety of soups found in most grocery stores, some seasonings, potato chips, and a lot of items on the menu at your local fast food restaurant. Because this kind of MSG is processed, it can cause many adverse reactions, here are some major ones to look out for when consuming processed foods.

Loss of Facial Feeling

There have been a high number of reported cases of those consuming MSG in high quantities, losing feeling in their face. The facial muscles can feel tight and pressures, even a burning sensation in various parts of the body including the neck, chest, arms and legs.

Heart Palpitations

Abnormal heart rhythms, rapid fluttering and unsteady heartbeat, have all been linked to the consumption of MSG. Obviously, these symptoms are serious and pose major threats to the health of anyone suffering from them. As well as affecting the heart, MSG can have adverse effects on the lungs too, sometimes decreasing the amount of air that is able to enter, causing chest tightness and pain.

Migraines

One of the most common side effects of eating food that contains MSG, especially on an empty stomach. Due to more of the chemical being consumed and absorbed into the bloodstream, headaches are usually the first to occur, and they are ones that come with a high number on the pain scale.

The List Goes On

Nausea, wheezing, seating and vomiting are all on the list of symptoms related to the harsh health effects of MSG consumption. This food additive is loaded with salt and chemicals that can induce a myriad of illness onsets. Make sure to look at the food you are purchasing to see if the levels of MSG are high.

Consult your primary care physician or chiropractor for any medical related advice.