May 8, 2022

What does the body of evidence say on the topic of MSG? Plus: we dig into a new study that alleges that artificial sweeteners are associated with a higher risk of cancer (but But BUT!), and will we keep boosting people against COVID every four months?

Block 1:

(2:05) MSG: what it is, where it comes from, and where it is used

Block 2:

(8:41) MSG: what it tastes like, the story of how it was maligned, and whether or not it causes harm

Block 3:

(27:26) New study on artificial sweeteners and cancer, and its pitfalls

Block 4:

(39:11) Forever boosters for COVID-19

* Jingle by Jillian Correia of Roctavio Canada

* Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.

* Assistant researcher: Nicholas Koziris

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References:

1) The original paper on “Chinese-restaurant syndrome:” https://doi.org/10.1056/nejm196804042781419

2) The Colgate University article on Dr. Howard Steel: https://news.colgate.edu/magazine/2019/02/06/the-strange-case-of-dr-ho-man-kwok/

3) This American Life’s episode on Dr. Steel and Dr. Kwok: https://www.thisamericanlife.org/668/the-long-fuse

4) The only other scientific paper penned by Dr. Kwok: https://doi.org/10.1016/s0022-3476(67)80272-5

5) Study on intravenous administration of MSG: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.163.3869.826

6) Study #1 on MSG and flushing: https://doi.org/10.1016/s0190-9622(86)70161-8

7) Study #2 on MSG and flushing: https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/130.4.1058s

8) Study on MSG and headaches: https://doi.org/10.1186/s10194-016-0639-4

9) The FDA’s findings on MSG: https://www.fda.gov/food/food-additives-petitions/questions-and-answers-monosodium-glutamate-msg

10) Adam Ragusea’s video on MSG: https://youtu.be/E-POAKKH5IM

11) New study on artificial sweeteners and cancer risk: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1003950

12) Second COVID booster has ‘marginal benefits’ in small study: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/972198

13) Jonathan’s article on a pan-coronavirus vaccine: https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/covid-19/future-proof-coronavirus-vaccine

Music Credits:

Shine Of Happiness by MusicLFiles

Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/7537-shine-of-happiness

License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license