(NaturalNews) Most people have seen signs in Chinese and other restaurants proclaiming that their food is "MSG free" or a note on the menu letting diners know that is it possible to have their food prepared without monosodium glutamate. One of the big reasons that consumers became aware of this artificial ingredient that is widespread in the food industry is that there have been cases of people having severe - and sometimes even fatal - allergic reactions to it. Once a few horror story of diners going into anaphylactic shock in the middle of the meal reached the media, the public in general became much more aware of the potential threat that MSG can pose. However, as serious as the possibility for a reaction is, it is not the only danger of MSG. Read on to find out more about its role in food addiction and why the food industry continues to use it.

MSG and its role in food addiction

MSG, despite the dangers to consumers, is still widely used in the food industry. Why? Because it plays an important role in getting, and keeping, consumers addicted to their low-nutrient, calorie-dense food products. MSG triggers a response of hunger in those who consume it, but the hunger is persistent and is not satisfied even when a person eats a large amount of food. This can lead to chronic overeating, usually of products which contain yet more MSG, starting the vicious cycle all over again. Considering that other artificial ingredients like high fructose corn syrup tend to be addictive, too, it is little wonder that two out of every three adults in America are now considered to be overweight or obese.

Other side effects of MSG

Apart from causing an addiction to poor quality processed foods - and even apart from the possibility of going into anaphylactic shock - there are yet more reasons why wise consumers should avoid this artificial additive. Although it is still recognized by the FDA as "safe", it can trigger any number of unwanted signs and symptoms, including:

• Skin problems like hives, rashes and intense itching
• Digestive problems like nausea and vomiting
• Neurological problems like headaches and migraines - as well as more serious issues like seizures
• Musculoskeletal problems like weakness and jaw pain
• Cardiovascular problems like a rapid or weak heartbeat.

In short, there is hardly a bodily system that is not affected by consuming MSG!

It should be obvious from all of this that MSG is simply bad news. It can cause fatal allergic reactions, stimulate a food addiction that can be extremely difficult to break and affects the entire body if it is consumed. The best way to avoid all this is to eat a whole foods diet and prepare many foods at home - and from scratch - to avoid MSG and other unhealthy ingredients.

Sources:

http://foodmatters.tv

http://www.foodrenegade.com

http://www.drfranklipman.com

About the author:
Sofiya has written articles on most health-related topics, including traditional medicine, alternative and naturopathic and natural treatments,health insurance, wellness, medical marijuana, diets and fitness.