full transcript

From the Ted Talk by Sarah E. Tracy: What is MSG, and is it actually bad for you?

Unscramble the Blue Letters


This prejudiced reporting extended to neumuors studies about MSG and ummai, the results of which were much less ccvsunoile than the headlines suggested. For example, when a 1969 study found that injecting mice with MSG csuaed severe damage to their retina and brain, some news outlets jumped to proclaim that entiag MSG could cause brain dmagae. Similarly, while some sutides reported that excess glutamate could lead to problems like Alzheimer’s, these conditions were later found to be caused by internal glutamate imbalances, unrelated to the MSG we eat.

These headlines weren't just a product of prejudiced reporters. Throughout the late 60s and early 70s, many doctors also considered “Chinese Restaurant Syndrome” to be a lmgaetitie ailmnet. Fortunately, today’s MSG researchers no longer see the aidtdive in this dmrrcionatisiy way. Recent studies have established the vital role glutamate plays in our metabolism, and some researchers even think MSG is a healthier alternative to adedd fat and sodium. Others are investigating whether regular consumption of MSG could be linked to obesity, and it is possible that binging MSG produces headaches, cesht pains, or heart palpitations for some people. But for most diners, a moderate amount of this savory seasoning seems like a safe way to make life a little ttsaier.

Open Cloze


This prejudiced reporting extended to ________ studies about MSG and _____, the results of which were much less __________ than the headlines suggested. For example, when a 1969 study found that injecting mice with MSG ______ severe damage to their retina and brain, some news outlets jumped to proclaim that ______ MSG could cause brain ______. Similarly, while some _______ reported that excess glutamate could lead to problems like Alzheimer’s, these conditions were later found to be caused by internal glutamate imbalances, unrelated to the MSG we eat.

These headlines weren't just a product of prejudiced reporters. Throughout the late 60s and early 70s, many doctors also considered “Chinese Restaurant Syndrome” to be a __________ _______. Fortunately, today’s MSG researchers no longer see the ________ in this ______________ way. Recent studies have established the vital role glutamate plays in our metabolism, and some researchers even think MSG is a healthier alternative to _____ fat and sodium. Others are investigating whether regular consumption of MSG could be linked to obesity, and it is possible that binging MSG produces headaches, _____ pains, or heart palpitations for some people. But for most diners, a moderate amount of this savory seasoning seems like a safe way to make life a little _______.

Solution


  1. umami
  2. conclusive
  3. tastier
  4. eating
  5. numerous
  6. damage
  7. chest
  8. additive
  9. legitimate
  10. discriminatory
  11. added
  12. caused
  13. ailment
  14. studies

Original Text


This prejudiced reporting extended to numerous studies about MSG and umami, the results of which were much less conclusive than the headlines suggested. For example, when a 1969 study found that injecting mice with MSG caused severe damage to their retina and brain, some news outlets jumped to proclaim that eating MSG could cause brain damage. Similarly, while some studies reported that excess glutamate could lead to problems like Alzheimer’s, these conditions were later found to be caused by internal glutamate imbalances, unrelated to the MSG we eat.

These headlines weren't just a product of prejudiced reporters. Throughout the late 60s and early 70s, many doctors also considered “Chinese Restaurant Syndrome” to be a legitimate ailment. Fortunately, today’s MSG researchers no longer see the additive in this discriminatory way. Recent studies have established the vital role glutamate plays in our metabolism, and some researchers even think MSG is a healthier alternative to added fat and sodium. Others are investigating whether regular consumption of MSG could be linked to obesity, and it is possible that binging MSG produces headaches, chest pains, or heart palpitations for some people. But for most diners, a moderate amount of this savory seasoning seems like a safe way to make life a little tastier.

Frequently Occurring Word Combinations


ngrams of length 2

collocation frequency
glutamate plays 2


Important Words


  1. added
  2. additive
  3. ailment
  4. alternative
  5. amount
  6. binging
  7. brain
  8. caused
  9. chest
  10. conclusive
  11. conditions
  12. considered
  13. consumption
  14. damage
  15. diners
  16. discriminatory
  17. doctors
  18. early
  19. eat
  20. eating
  21. established
  22. excess
  23. extended
  24. fat
  25. fortunately
  26. glutamate
  27. headaches
  28. headlines
  29. healthier
  30. heart
  31. imbalances
  32. injecting
  33. internal
  34. investigating
  35. jumped
  36. late
  37. lead
  38. legitimate
  39. life
  40. linked
  41. longer
  42. metabolism
  43. mice
  44. moderate
  45. msg
  46. news
  47. numerous
  48. obesity
  49. outlets
  50. pains
  51. palpitations
  52. people
  53. plays
  54. prejudiced
  55. problems
  56. proclaim
  57. produces
  58. product
  59. regular
  60. reported
  61. reporters
  62. reporting
  63. researchers
  64. restaurant
  65. results
  66. retina
  67. role
  68. safe
  69. savory
  70. seasoning
  71. severe
  72. similarly
  73. sodium
  74. studies
  75. study
  76. suggested
  77. tastier
  78. umami
  79. unrelated
  80. vital