USDA Says MSG is Safe - But is it Healthy?

I've always tried to be a label reader. I try to make sure I'm not eating a bunch of hidden crap. 

One of the tougher chemicals to spot is MSG, since the USDA allows it to be used under many different names.

Well, this study confirms something I read several years ago. People who use monosodium glutamate, or MSG, as a flavor enhancer in their food are more likely than people who don't use it to be overweight or obese - even though they have the same amount of physical activity and total calorie intake.

"We found that prevalence of overweight was significantly higher in MSG users than in non-users," He said. 

"We saw this risk even when we controlled for physical activity, total calorie intake and other possible explanations for the difference in body mass. The positive associations between MSG intake and overweight were consistent with data from animal studies."

As the percentage of overweight and obese people around the world continues to increase, finding clues to the cause could be very important. 

"The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other health organizations around the world have concluded that MSG is safe," he said. "But the question remains - is it healthy?"

So if you want to lose weight and be healthy, then by all means, avoid MSG.