C:\Marlow\

I’m sick of all that anti-MSG razzmatazz. Anyone know anybody that has suffered due to MSG? Seen a study with empirical evidence of negative side effects?

Ok, just checking. Cause it turns out that all negative reports on MSG have been based on anecdotal evidence.

Good ‘ol wikipedia helped me out here.

In April 1968, Dr Ho Man Kwok wrote an article for the New England Journal of Medicine where he said, “I have experienced a strange syndrome whenever I have eaten out in a Chinese restaurant, especially one that served northern Chinese food. The syndrome, which usually begins 15 to 20 minutes after I have eaten the first dish, lasts for about two hours, without hangover effect. The most prominent symptoms are numbness at the back of the neck, gradually radiating to both arms and the back, general weakness and palpitations…”. This comment began a global health scare about MSG and “Chinese restaurant syndrome” was born. Considerable research has failed to find any syndrome related to MSG (or in fact any negative health effects at all), and Chinese restaurant syndrome is largely resigned to urban legend status. However, the damage was done, and MSG is still thought of as suspect by a large proportion of the general public, and many foods continue to be labelled “MSG free”.

Thanks “Dr” Kwok, you asshole. Way to ruin it for the rest of us! Also, have you tasted MSG?!? THAT SHIT IS DELICIOUS!!! I mean, really! I went to a Chinese restaurant in Toronto and they had an MSG dish on the table for spooning onto your food!

The Ajinomoto (味の素) company was formed to manufacture and market MSG in Japan; the name ‘Ajinomoto’ means “essence of taste”.

ESSENCE OF TASTE!!!

That says it all right there. Rant over, now go and eat some Chinese food without one of those lame-ass “No MSG” signs.

Peace