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An MSG Convert Visits the High Church of Umami

newyorker.com

11–20 of 102 posts

Re: An MSG Convert Visits the High Church of Umami

#11
post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Here's a study for contextualizing: https://www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749(00)44233-8/ful... I've yet to see one that showed actual adverse effects of eating MSG via food, regardless of claimed sensitivities. I think this is the heart of the "racist" claim - there's no study that supports the existence of that sort of MSG sensitivity out there yet (that I've heard about)

The study isn't denying that there are effects. > neither persistent nor serious effects from MSG ingestion Effects don't have to be serious or persistent for them to be a nuisance enough to avoid! I don't need six hours of a mild headache/nausea, thanks.

This context was important on the study:

> large doses of MSG given without food

Re: An MSG Convert Visits the High Church of Umami

#12

I assume lots of chefs (in high end restaurants) use MSG, but rightly think it could scare off some of their clientele.

The words "umami flavours" is a lot more palatable than MSG.

This can come from the food itself, and many recipes—in fact, almost all recipes that aren’t either fast food or molecular gastronomy—were crafted to derive umami flavours from their ingredients, rather than being “boosted” after the fact.

Which is not to say the result isn’t the same as if they just added the MSG. It’s just a different approach to adding it.

Re: An MSG Convert Visits the High Church of Umami

#13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The words "umami flavours" is a lot more palatable than MSG.

But it could refer to ingredients other than pure MSG.

Ingredients which in turn would contain glutamates, and likely monosodium glutamate.

Re: An MSG Convert Visits the High Church of Umami

#14

> They are willing to bring MSG into their homes as a component in other foods—more than happy to accept it as a flavoring powerhouse in Doritos, instant ramen, canned soup, and bouillon cubes, or at least happy to accept its euphemisms, like “hydrolized soy protein” and “autolyzed yeast.” Those are strawman avoiders of MSG, not everyone. I avoid stuff which lists MSG under these names. As well as disodium inosinate…

Doesn't this mean that eating any meat, or your own body chemistry, would also cause headaches?

Re: An MSG Convert Visits the High Church of Umami

#16
post #5

I've talked to many otherwise perfectly rational folks who get worked up about avoiding MSG when it comes to Asian food — but still go out and buy liquid aminos or eat foods that are caked in it.

I just checked the ingredients on my liquid aminos and it doesn't say msg. Their website says they don't add it, but there may be "very small amounts" that naturally occur from the soybeans. Please explain.

P.S. I have no reaction to MSG I just don't understand why you would think someone is being irrational.

Re: An MSG Convert Visits the High Church of Umami

#17
The article rather understates the use of glutamate in the body.

> it is an essential building block of protein found in muscle tissue, the brain, and other organs.

It's not only found in every organ, it's present in 99.6% of all human proteins, out of 20328 only 72 do not use glutamate, and of those 29 are keratin proteins.

Re: An MSG Convert Visits the High Church of Umami

#18
post #5

I've talked to many otherwise perfectly rational folks who get worked up about avoiding MSG when it comes to Asian food — but still go out and buy liquid aminos or eat foods that are caked in it.

Many people don't know that tomatoes, cheeses and other foods naturally have MSG. And:

> FDA considers the addition of MSG to foods to be “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS). Although many people identify themselves as sensitive to MSG, in studies with such individuals given MSG or a placebo, scientists have not been able to consistently trigger reactions. [1]

[1]: https://www.fda.gov/Food/IngredientsPackagingLabeling/FoodAd...

Re: An MSG Convert Visits the High Church of Umami

#19
post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The study isn't denying that there are effects. > neither persistent nor serious effects from MSG ingestion Effects don't have to be serious or persistent for them to be a nuisance enough to avoid! I don't need six hours of a mild headache/nausea, thanks.

This context was important on the study: > large doses of MSG given without food

That could describe the situation when you're drinking MSG-laced soup. The liquid will race ahead of the solids ingredients like noodles and get absorbed first.

If MSG is sprinked onto something dry, like some types of snack food, which is then washed down with a drink, it could also be absorbed fast.

Re: An MSG Convert Visits the High Church of Umami

#20
post #16
post #5

I've talked to many otherwise perfectly rational folks who get worked up about avoiding MSG when it comes to Asian food — but still go out and buy liquid aminos or eat foods that are caked in it.

I just checked the ingredients on my liquid aminos and it doesn't say msg. Their website says they don't add it, but there may be "very small amounts" that naturally occur from the soybeans. Please explain. P.S. I have no reaction to MSG I just don't understand why you would think someone is being irrational.

>P.S. I have no reaction to MSG I just don't understand why you would think someone is being irrational.

Because nobody has a reaction to MSG. It's ill effects are entirely fictional.

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