Do you know what is the “Chinese Restaurant Syndrome”?
If not at least you would know the fear of eating MSG!
How many would tell you that MSG is dangerous and not suitable for a lot of people!
That was the result of one of the biggest food scams and anti Asian prejudice which still lives up to this day!
It all started when Asian and particularly Chinese food with MSG were becoming poplar all over the world since they had more FLAVOUR and also were easier to make! In many aspects they had more varieties and options!
Then came a Letter to the editor in the NEJM which started the panic!
The 1968 Letter of panic! A New England Journal of Medicine letter from a doctor described vague numbness and palpitations after eating Chinese food!
The symptoms were so vague that anyone who has ever had a full meal would develop this one!
I got these after having a delicious ONAM SADYA in our apartment the other day!
But the letter did its job!
Pre-existing anti-Asian prejudices and xenophobia in the West amplified the anecdote into a widespread media panic!
This was diligently followed by bad science!
Early follow-up experiments used massive, unrealistic doses of MSG or relied on flawed, non-blinded observation!
Later on scientific analysis started and Global regulatory bodies and decades of controlled, double-blind studies show no consistent link between normal dietary amounts of MSG and symptoms like headaches or chest pain!
In fact MSG consists of sodium and glutamate, an amino acid naturally found in tomatoes, cheese, mushrooms, and the safest food in the world; breast milk!
It is routinely used in Western processed foods like potato chips and ranch dressing without similar public outcry!
The actual cultprit is something else! Post-meal discomfort is usually caused by other factors like high overall sodium, heavy or greasy meals, alcohol, or food intolerances unrelated to MSG!
Now any salt does enhance the flavour and MSG being a salt also does the same! But how much to eat is entirely in your hands or mouth! Which makes me remember what my mom always used to mention “Adhikam ayal amrutham visham” (അധികം ആയാൽ അമൃതും വിഷം) which means that even divine nectar becomes poison if you have too much of it!
So MSG is safe; but like any salt, do have it in limited quantity! Also do not believe any LETTERS to the editor without investigating yourself!
Then again you do not need any letters to know that Bhupendra Kumar Hazarika was a talented soul…
Now have that Noodles without much guilt but have less!
Shub ratri….
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