monosodium glutamate

Monosodium Glutamate or MSG is a sodium salt of glutamic acid used in cooking as a flavor enhancer with a savory taste that intensifies the umami flavor of food. Created by the Ajinomoto company, MSG is very popular and used in many Asian countries.

MSG had a negative reputation in the past due to a now discredited theory called “Chinese Restaurant Syndrome” that claimed MSG cause health problems despite many research papers and tests by health officials and experts revealed that MSG is mostly safe to eat with no side effects.