Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)
Quick Facts
MSG stands for monosodium glutamate, which is derived from the amino acid glutamate (i.e. glutamic acid) which is one of the most abundant amino acids in nature.
Glutamate can also be found in many processed foods in the form of “free glutamate” and the most common form of free glutamate is MSG. The two terms, “monosodium glutamate” and “free glutamate”, are often used interchangeably.
MSG adds a very savory and umami flavor to foods. It is often added to Asian cuisine and processed foods.
MSG can have many names that can make it difficult to spot on an ingredients label. Click here to see a list of alternative names for MSG.
Foods with high amounts of free glutamate (i.e. MSG) cause a large influx into our bodies and this is problematic for some people, leading to a range of symptoms including overexcitation, anxiety, headaches, and seizures. MSG has been proposed to have neurotoxic effects.
