MSG is considered safe by the FDA, but has been blamed for headaches, flushing and difficulty breathing.

Here’s what the science says.

There are a lot of rumors regarding the health of MSG and the side effects of eating it.

Kung Pao Broccoli

But is MSG bad for you?

Let’s take a closer look at what research shows about MSG’s effects on your body and health.

What Is MSG?

That’s in addition to the FDA’s declaration that MSG isgenerally recognized as safe(GRAS).

In addition to sodium, MSG also contains glutamic acid, aka glutamate.

Glutamate is an amino acid that occurs naturally in foods like tomatoes, mushrooms and Parmesan cheese.

Glutamate also acts as a neurotransmitter in our bodies.

A neurotransmitter is a chemical messenger that carries information from one nerve cell to the next.

But there is evidence suggesting that MSG may, indeed, affect brain health in animals.

Is MSG Bad for You?

First brought to the attention of medical professionals in the 1960s, these symptoms were dubbed MSG symptom complex.

So, while the symptoms may be related to MSG, researchers have yet to demonstrate the connection.

There may be one caveat, though.

And we know thatgut healthinfluences both our short- and long-term health.

Can MSG Affect Weight?

Researchers are often studying the effects of taste, smell and texture on food consumption.

But more research needs to be conducted on this topic.