Monosodium glutamate is a food additive that enhances the flavor of savory foods. It's added to a wide variety of foods and found naturally in foods such as tomatoes and cheese. Eaten in typical amounts, MSG is considered safe, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

As long as you choose flavonoid-rich dark chocolate, the sweet treat could have a number of beneficial effects on health, including lowering your blood pressure and your risk for heart disease. The beneficial compounds in dark chocolate may also help minimize your diabetes risk, according to a study published in "

Food allergy symptoms can range from an irritating runny nose or mild itching to life-threatening swelling of the throat and difficulty breathing. If you have severe symptoms, seek emergency care immediately.

The term infection refers to the growth of harmful organisms in the body. In response to an infection, your immune system attempts to protect itself and triggers symptoms such as pain, fever, swelling, skin rashes and itching.

Pectin is a type of water-soluble fiber found inside plant cells. Many vegetables are excellent sources of pectin. Water-soluble fiber helps decrease blood cholesterol levels, which reduces the likelihood of heart disease and strokes.

Michael Jordan may have been one of the best basketball players ever, but like any well-trained athlete, he worked hard to achieve that success. In addition to being dedicated to his athletic training, Jordan has also been very careful about his diet, especially during basketball season, and ate to maximize his energy.

The food you eat provides your body with the nutrients it needs to function properly. Most foods contain a mix of those essential nutrients, and your body must break it down through a series of chemical reactions to get what it needs in the form best used by your cells.

If you're craving a burger, it's OK to indulge on occasion, even if you're on a diet. It's best to plan for this indulgence if you can, however, so you don't go over your daily calorie budget. Even an unplanned splurge on a burger isn't going to totally kill your diet, though it may slow your weight loss a little.

Most of us could stand to limit the sweets -- cakes, cookies, pies, doughnuts and other sweet confections are the No. 1 source of calories in the American diet, according to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines.

Tendons are tough, flexible bands of tissue that connect muscle to bone. Ligaments are similar bands that connect bone and cartilage to joints and organs. Healthy connective tissues support your ability to move, exercise and lift objects freely.

Eating more fruits and vegetables may improve your overall health and reduce your risk of prostate problems, namely prostate cancer, one of the leading cancers in men, according to the American Cancer Society. If you have a hard time eating your fruits and vegetables, juicing may be an option.

Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid and safe for everyone except those who have a condition called phenylketonuria, or PKU. This amino acid, combined with another amino acid called aspartic acid, forms the artificial sweetener aspartame. While the U.S.