Bring out your chopsticks and dig into some Chinese take-away! Don't worry; your face won't tingle and you won't get headaches, heartburn, palpitations, swelling or anything else.

The monosodium glutamate (MSG) a.k.a. ajinomoto, which is used as a preservative and flavour enhancer, was believed to be terribly harmful. However, the US Food and Drug Administration says that it won't hurt you as long as you don't empty an entire packet into your food.

Compiled by Lisabelle Gonsalves

With inputs from Sushila Sharangdhar, Consulting Dietician, www.wellnessanddiet.com