msg also known as monosodium glutamate is a common ingredient and food additive used to boost the flavor of processed canned and frozen foods MSG seasoning is derived from glutamic acid a type of protein that is abundant in many types of food including fruits and vegetables it's produced through a fermentation process and brings a savory taste to dishes so why is MSD controversial because it contains an isolated and highly concentrated form of glutamic acid it's processed very differently in the body and can increase levels of glutamate in the blood very rapidly it's believed that this can cause a long list of potential side effects with studies linking excess msg consumption to everything from asthma attacks to metabolic syndrome and Beyond MSD side effects and dangers causes reactions in some people can cause free radical formation may contribute to weight gain could increase blood pressure has been linked to asthma attacks could be linked to metabolic syndrome found mostly in unhealthy foods unfortunately there are many hidden sources of MSG in food and it can be found in everything from fast food to meat products the best way to find out if MSG is lurking in your favorite foods is to simply check the label and look for ingredients like monosodium glutamate glutamic acid glutamate or yeast extract MSD is a common ingredient in many types of processed foods from salty snacks - frozen convenience items and beyond the best way to completely cut out all MSG food sources from your diet is to simply minimize your intake of processed junk foods and incorporate more healthy Whole Foods into your weekly rotation instead you can also start reading food labels to make sure your grocery list is completely MSG free look out for some of the other names for msg including monosodium glutamate glutamic acid calcium glutamate and other similar variations other ingredients like yeast extract sodium caseinate and hydrolyzed products can also indicate that there may be MSG present as well here are a few of the top foods with MSG to keep a look out for on your next trip to the grocery store potato chips fast food seasonings convenience meals cold cuts iced tea mixes salty snacks instant noodles sports drinks processed meats consumes soy sauce broth moulin salad dressings crackers msg is a popular component in many Asian dishes and noodle based recipes however there are plenty of ways to enjoy your favorite savory meals without adding monosodium glutamate mushrooms tomatoes and Parmesan cheese are three natural healthy sources of glutamic acid that can be added to dishes to punch up the flavor experimenting with some healing herbs and spices in your foods can help maximize taste while also delivering a host of health benefits