Many of you would have recently come across the word MSG and wondered what it exactly is. MSG, also known as monosodium glutamate, sodium glutamate, gelatin, glutamate, hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP), glutamic acid etc. is the sodium salt of glutamic acid. It is used as a flavour enhancer in the food industry. MSG as a flavour enhancer makes the tasteless food fresher, tastier and smell better. It does this by tricking of our taste buds.
You may find MSG commonly used in Chinese food, restaurant cooked meals, canned vegetables, and processed meats. You may find MSG naturally in potatoes, peas, tomatoes and tomato juice, mushrooms, grapes, grape juice and other fruit juices, as well as cheeses such as Parmesan and Roquefort.
It is a kind of food additive with a long list of harmful side effects. MSG is a toxic chemical that directly damages neurological tissue, causes metabolic syndrome, can damage the brain and even cause death. The regular intake of MSG can cause Obesity, Eye damage, Headaches, Fatigue and disorientation, Depression, etc.
Children are unprotected and very helpless when it comes to the negative effects of MSG. As they are budding souls and their brains are still developing, the harmful effects of MSG are more intense for them. Their developing brains are easily damaged by the poisonous chemical. MSG runs down in their blood and destroys the developing nerve fibers. There is no safe limit to MSG’s amount that can be put in the food for a child.
Harmful effects of MSG on Children:
Migraines:
MSG is the major factor that can induce migraines in children. Research has proved that children, who consume MSG on a regular basis, often suffer from migraine issues.
Obesity:
Several studies conducted by the experts have come to a conclusion that intake of MSG regularly may cause obesity problems in kids.
Hyperactivity:
‍MSG intake damages the nerve fibres and causes neurological issues like depression, mood swings, rage reactions, migraine headache, dizziness, light-headedness, loss of balance, disorientation, mental confusion, anxiety, panic attacks, hyperactivity, and other behavioural problems in children.
Asthma: MSG causes respiratory issues like asthma, shortness of breath, chest pain, tightness in the chest, runny nose, sneezing in kids.
Making a choice to avoid MSG in your kid’s diet and yours is a wise decision. A little bit of planning like sticking to a whole, fresh foods diet, using fresh fruits and vegetables for cooking, avoiding the purchase of food items which contain MSG and other harmful chemicals etc. can actually lead you to a toxic chemical-free and healthy lifestyle.