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How Racism Fuels Myths That MSG Is Unhealthy

For decades, MSG, or monosodium glutamate, has been villainized and made to seem unhealthy. You’ve probably seen food products or restaurants advertise their foods as containing “No MSG” or maybe you think MSG bothers your stomach or causes headaches.

It may be surprising, then, to learn the truth: MSG isn’t harmful or unhealthy, and can in fact be part of a healthy, balanced diet. So why do so many people shun it? The answer is rooted in anti-Asian racism.

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