Several celebrities have used expletives when discussing Chinese food. Among them are Amy Haspel, a white chef from Texas, and Andrew Zimmern, a white chef who opened a Chinese restaurant near Minneapolis. Gordon Ramsay, an English-Canadian chef, is planning to open a «true Asian eating house» in London, and food writer Cathy Erway is of Taiwanese heritage. Whether or not these celebrities are offensive is a matter of debate, but it is worth noting that they are not the only ones doing it.
MSG is a food additive
Some people have doubts about MSG, a food additive often found in Chinese food. The term «Chinese Restaurant Syndrome» has been associated with this food additive. In addition, the food additive has become the focus of anti-Asian xenophobia, which has only reinforced its negative associations. Nevertheless, there is no scientific evidence that MSG causes health problems.
MSG is produced by fermenting L-glutamic acid, an amino acid found naturally in many foods. It’s also a nonessential amino acid, meaning your body can make it. MSG is often used in Chinese food to reduce sodium intake and may be substituted for salt as a food additive. However, MSG gained a bad reputation in the 1960s after a Chinese-American physician wrote a letter in the New England Journal of Medicine claiming that MSG caused him to become sick after eating Chinese food. The doctor suggested that he had consumed too much sodium and alcohol, which he attributed to the high sodium content in Chinese food. While this valid theory, it was not definitively proven that MSG caused Ho Man Kwok’s symptoms.
MSG is an amino acid derived from glutamic acid, which occurs naturally in a wide range of foods, and is one of the most abundant in the human body. It’s different from glutamate in food proteins, but our bodies process both glutamate types the same way. An average adult consumes approximately 13 grams of naturally occurring glutamate daily but only 0.55 grams of MSG.
It causes numbness and palpitations.
Some people have experienced strange sensations after eating Chinese food. The symptoms include a flushed face, palpitations, weakness, and numbness. However, several other components in Chinese food may also contribute to these symptoms. The food also contains other chemicals that might cause these unpleasant effects. Having a few too many glasses of wine after a heavy Chinese meal may also play a role.
Caffeine and other substances can also cause arrhythmias in some people. People who drink large amounts of energy drinks may be particularly susceptible. If you are experiencing these symptoms, your healthcare provider will recommend a complete blood count to rule out other health conditions. They can also check your blood for anemia, low potassium levels, and thyroid problems. Other tests may include a chest x-ray to examine your heart’s structure and function. An electrocardiogram (ECG) is another test that can help diagnose heart rhythm problems.
It causes illness
One recent study found that consuming leftover Chinese food is linked to a life-threatening infection. Although the exact cause of the condition is unknown, a 19-year-old man suffered severe complications from a blood infection caused by a bacterium that causes meningococcal disease. While the bacterium is not foodborne, the incubation period is longer than a few hours.
In a recent case, a 19-year-old college student was admitted to the hospital after consuming leftover Chinese food. His health declined, and he lost his legs and several fingers. The young man was diagnosed with gangrene and sepsis and had to be admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit. The case is not a typical occurrence.
In 1968, a physician wrote a letter to the New England Journal of Medicine suggesting that eating Chinese food could cause illness. The physician speculated that the symptoms could be caused by the additive monosodium glutamate used to season Chinese dishes. The term «Chinese restaurant syndrome» was subsequently coined. However, this term was later dropped because of its racist connotations. Today, symptoms associated with MSG consumption are commonly referred to as the MSG symptom complex.
A handful of infectious agents cause gastroenteritis and other types of foodborne illness. These agents are small enough to be undetected and opportunistic but are dangerous enough to pose a risk to the health of vulnerable people. The most common infectious agents are bacteria and fungi, and they can make it challenging to detect outbreaks. However, in China, attacks are routinely detected and regulated. When an episode has several victims, testing and medical treatment are initiated.
It is processed
Most of the ingredients used in Chinese food are processed and aren’t homemade. These ingredients can even be found in the grocery store’s frozen section. Many of these dishes also contain a large amount of meat from small family-run meat supermarkets. Then there are the vegetables, often preserved or «thousand-year-old eggs.»
It is unclean
Haspel’s statement may appear benign to some, but it highlights an important issue: how the West regards Chinese food and the influence of historical Orientalism. While the phrase «Chinese food is unclean» may be innocuous enough to justify its use in marketing campaigns, it carries a more profound significance.
The phrase «Chinese food is unclean» is used to dismiss Chinese food, but it doesn’t apply to all Chinese food. «Clean» Chinese cuisine is free of refined sugars, gluten, and fat. This definition is more restrictive than it sounds, and many Chinese chefs follow this stricter protocol to stay away from these substances.
One restaurant in Los Angeles has recently faced backlash after advertising its menu as «clean» and «all-natural» Chinese food. The Jewish-American couple behind Lucky Lee’s is not racist, nor are they disrespecting any particular Asian culture by marketing its menu as «clean» or «healthy» Chinese food. However, critics of the restaurant’s message accused it of cultural appropriation, racism, and ignorance of the true nature of Chinese food.
In addition to the stereotype of unclean Chinese food, there is also the issue of «ownership» in Chinese cuisine. A white restaurateur in Los Angeles marketed his new Chinese restaurant as ‘clean’ and «unlucky,’ which perpetuates the notion that Chinese food is unclean.
It is unhealthy
Many people believe that Chinese food is unhealthy, even though consumption has increased and various vegetables, meat, and eggs have been added to traditional dishes. Based on false assumptions, this belief has fuelled racist violence against Asians. As a result, the popularity of Chinese dishes has waned.
Although many Chinese dishes are loaded with fat and calories, there are many ways to make them healthier. For example, you can order steamed dumplings or rice paper spring rolls full of vegetables. Another healthier option is to order chicken or beef with mushrooms instead of sauce. You can also choose a vegetable stock to cut the calories in a dish. In addition, brown rice is healthier than white rice, which is filled with carbohydrates and can increase your risk of diabetes.
MSG is a controversial ingredient in Chinese food, but it’s generally safe to eat in small amounts. In addition, stir-fries are often a healthy choice. They contain protein and vegetables, which are excellent sources of fiber and nutrients. If you’re concerned about MSG, ask your local Chinese restaurant if they use it and limit the amount you consume.
Many Chinese restaurant dishes contain large amounts of sodium, which is linked to high blood pressure. Traditional Chinese cuisine has vegetable-rich words and lean proteins to reduce sodium content. Studies have shown that traditional Chinese cuisine can help lower the risk of diabetes and heart disease.
