Ever heard of Chinese Restaurant Syndrome? Coined in the 60s, it refers to a group of symptoms some people experience after eating food from, well… a Chinese restaurant. Literally.
Today, it’s known as MSG. Resulting in mild to severe symptoms of headaches, skin flushing, and sweating, MSG is now the first thing on restaurateurs’ minds as soon as they step foot into a Chinese restaurant.
What is MSG?
Also known as monosodium glutamate, MSG is a food additive used to improve the taste of food. It has become an important additive for the food industry because it doesn’t compromise flavor if lower quality or less fresh ingredients are used. It’s pretty much the “fluff” that’s inserted to make up for the lack of prime ingredients that go into a dish or packaged good.
According to Health Line, MSG is made up mostly of