Like salt and pepper, the use of monosodium glutamate or MSG as a food flavoring agent is actually safe. However, you are advised not to consume more than 1.7 grams of MSG per day so that the side effects or adverse effects of MSG consumption can be avoided.

MSG can naturally be found in foods that are high in protein. Some foods that contain natural MSG are:

Besides being known as MSG, MSG also has several other names, namely sodium glutamate, monosodium L-glutamate monohydrate, glutamic acid monosodium salt monohydrate, yeast extract, hydrolyzed vegetable protein or HVP, potassium glutamate, sodium caseinate, and natural flavors. So, if these names are listed on the label of the food you buy, then the food contains MSG in it.

Some types of food that generally contain MSG are processed or packaged foods, such as dried meat, meat extract, packaged poultry broth, and starch. Other foods such as potato chips, gravy, mayonnaise, and frozen foods generally also contain MSG.

Consumption of MSG with a dose of 0.5-1.7 grams per day generally does not cause side effects. However, it is different if you consume MSG in excess. Several reports and studies claim that excessive MSG use can have negative health effects, such as:

This condition can occur when you consume MSG more than 3 grams per day. Symptoms of this syndrome vary, including headache, numbness, redness, tingling, palpitations, chest pain, nausea, weakness, fatigue, and drowsiness.

Symptoms that appear can be mild to severe, but people who are sensitive to MSG may experience more severe symptoms when exposed to Chinese restaurant syndrome.

A number of studies suggest that glutamate in high doses of MSG can act as a poison that causes nerve cell damage. In fact, it is also mentioned that MSG can cause impaired brain function and damage to various organs.

A number of diseases have been linked to nerve damage due to excessive MSG consumption, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and stroke.

Other studies have also shown that consuming MSG in excess can cause asthma, especially for those who are sensitive to MSG. The number of doses that can trigger asthma is as much as 3 grams in one meal.

Excessive consumption of MSG is also believed to cause obesity or overweight. However, this research needs to be investigated further because there are other studies which state that MSG can cause fuller effects for longer and can help maintain weight.

Long-term consumption of MSG is also believed to cause an increase in blood pressure. Some people who are sensitive to MSG will also experience the effects of headaches after consuming it. However, the exact cause of this is not known.

A number of researchers also claim that MSG can damage cells and genetic material. This MSG effect is predicted to damage lymphocytes or white blood cells. However, this still needs to be investigated further.

Other research suggests that long-term consumption of MSG can cause kidney damage and depressive symptoms due to a decrease in serotonin, a signal in the brain that affects mood and emotions.

It should be underlined, all the side effects or adverse effects of excessive MSG consumption still need to be investigated further. However, all that is consumed in excess is not good. So, it never hurts to limit the consumption of MSG to minimize the risk of health problems.

Consumption of MSG within reasonable limits is still considered safe, so you don't have to worry. Even so, for people who have allergies to MSG, you should avoid consuming foods that contain these ingredients.

If you have a medical condition that requires you to limit certain types of food, you should consult with your doctor to find out if you can eat foods that contain MSG and how much MSG you can eat.