Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is MSG?The Symptoms of MSG Symptom ComplexCausesDiagnosisTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is MSG?
The Symptoms of MSG Symptom Complex
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a food additive suspected of causing reactions such asheadache, flushing, and heart palpitations. People who experience such a reaction may mistake it for an MSG allergy. But MSG symptom complex is different than an allergy and not yet clearly understood.
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MSG is a sodium saltderived from glutamic acid, an amino acid that naturally occurs in many foods (like parmesan cheese and tomatoes).
While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says MSG is “generally recognized as safe,” its use remains controversial. Likely due to the uncomfortable symptoms people report experiencing after eating foods containing MSG.
MSG symptom complex is a cluster of adverse reactions often mistaken for afood allergy. It is not a true allergy, but rather a food intolerance.
Most people who have the syndrome experience mild and short-lasting symptoms after consuming MSG.These may include
Headaches
While research into MSG symptom complex is limited, there have been several reports of people experiencing headaches after consuming MSG. Studies suggest the food additive may have a connection toheadaches.
Although the mechanism isn’t entirely understood, research has found people withmigrainesand tension-type headaches have higher levels of glutamate than those without migraines.While this does not confirm a causal link between migraines and MSG, it may help to explain the phenomenon of headaches after consuming MSG.
In addition, research shows MSG consumption can causeblood pressureto rise, which is linked to headaches.However, in studies, this increase has been short-lived and only occurs following MSG intake that is much higher than what is normally consumed in a meal.
Asthma
Research in the 1980s found a suspected link between MSG and asthma. In a small study published in theJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 32 people with asthma were put on an additive-free diet for five days, then given increasing doses of 500 mg to 5 grams of MSG in a hospital setting.
The MSG challenge provoked reactions in 13 people, with six experiencing symptoms of asthma and MSG symptom complex within two hours of ingestion, and another seven experiencing asthma flare-ups within 12 hours. These results, however, have not been replicated in further studies.
A 1999 study of 100 people with asthma found no indication that MSG provokes asthma attacks based on diagnostic markers, including forced expiratory volume (FEV1) values.
In the study, people with asthma—with and without a history of self-diagnosed MSG symptom complex—were given 2,500 milligrams of MSG. Researchers found no clinically relevant changes in FEV1 levels and advised maintaining a “healthy skepticism about the existence of MSG sensitivity in individuals with asthma.”
MSG symptom complex is not very well understood. The reactions people experience after eating MSG do not involve traditionalallergy pathwaysthat activate an immune response.
Because sensitivity to MSG is not a true allergy, there is no test available to determine whether you are sensitive to it.
Furthermore, despite widespread anecdotal evidence that some people experience reactions, studies of MSG have not demonstrated a clear cause-and-effect relationship.
Instead, only a handful of studies have found mild reactions can occur after consuming large amounts of MSG, and the threshold for symptom development is far above what would be consumed during a normal meal.
Causes and Risk Factors of Headaches
MSG symptom complex is typically diagnosed based on symptoms that appear following MSG consumption. Your healthcare provider may ask questions such as:
He or she may also perform diagnostic tests, such as anelectrocardiogramto check for abnormal heart rhythms andspirometryto test airflow.
There is no specific treatment for MSG symptom complex, although over-the-counter medications can be used to treat individual symptoms during an episode. For example, Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Excedrin (aspirin, acetaminophen, and caffeine) may ease a headache.
More serious symptoms may be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Although MSG isn’t known to cause anaphylaxis, it’s possible a person may be allergic to a food that contains it.
Get emergency medical help right away if you experience any of the following, as they can be indications of life-threateningallergic reactionsknown asanaphylaxis:
Avoiding MSG
The most effective strategy for avoiding symptoms is to not consume MSG if you suspect you may be sensitive to it. While there is little scientific evidence to support a link between MSG and reactions, the FDA requires food labels to list MSG as an ingredient.
Foods that naturally contain MSG do not need to list MSG as an ingredient, although the product label cannot claim “No MSG” or “No added MSG.“
MSG LabelingIf you are avoiding MSG, check the ingredients list for the following:Monosodium glutamateHydrolyzed vegetable proteinAutolyzed yeastHydrolyzed yeastYeast extractSoy extractsProtein isolateTomatoesCheese
MSG Labeling
If you are avoiding MSG, check the ingredients list for the following:Monosodium glutamateHydrolyzed vegetable proteinAutolyzed yeastHydrolyzed yeastYeast extractSoy extractsProtein isolateTomatoesCheese
If you are avoiding MSG, check the ingredients list for the following:
Dining out while avoiding MSG can be trickier. You can always ask if the meal is prepared with MSG, and many restaurants now advertise they are MSG-free.
A Word From Verywell
Despite the belief that there is such a thing as an MSG allergy, there is a lack of hard scientific data to link common reported reactions to MSG. That said, sometimes misconceptions exist for a reason, and there may be some truth underlying the MSG phenomenon that experts simply have not yet figured out.
13 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.U.S Food and Drug Administration.Questions and answers on monosodium glutamate (MSG).Bawaskar HS, Bawaskar PH, Bawaskar PH.Chinese restaurant syndrome.Indian J Crit Care Med. 2017;21(1):49-50. doi:10.4103/0972-5229.198327Geha RS, Beiser A, Ren C, et al.Review of alleged reaction to monosodium glutamate and outcome of a multicenter double-blind placebo-controlled study.J Nutr. 2000;130(4S Suppl):1058S-62S. doi:10.1093/jn/130.4.1058SSurbakti KP, Sjahrir H, Juwita-sembiring R, Mutiara E.Effect of flunarizine on serum glutamate levels and its correlation with headache intensity in chronic tension-type headache patients.Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2017;5(6):757-761. doi:10.3889/oamjms.2017.172Assarzadegan F, Asadollahi M, Hesami O, Aryani O, Mansouri B, Beladi Moghadam N.Secondary headaches attributed to arterial hypertension.Iran J Neurol. 2013;12(3):106-110.Shimada A, Cairns BE, Vad N, et al.Headache and mechanical sensitization of human pericranial muscles after repeated intake of monosodium glutamate (MSG).J Headache Pain. 2013;14:2. doi:10.1186/1129-2377-14-2Allen DH, Delohery J, Baker G.Monosodium L-glutamate-induced asthma.J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1987;80(4):530-537. doi:10.1016/0091-6749(87)90003-0Woessner KM, Simon RA, Stevenson DD.Monosodium glutamate sensitivity in asthma.J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1999;104(2 Pt 1):305-310. doi:10.1016/s0091-6749(99)70371-4Obayashi Y, Nagamura Y.Does monosodium glutamate really cause headache?: a systematic review of human studies.J Headache Pain. 2016;17:54. doi:10.1186/s10194-016-0639-4Mayo Clinic.What is MSG? Is it bad for you?Henry-unaeze HN.Update on food safety of monosodium l-glutamate (MSG).Pathophysiology. 2017;24(4):243-249.Niaz K, Zaplatic E, Spoor J.Extensive use of monosodium glutamate: A threat to public health?.EXCLI J. 2018;17:273-278. doi:10.17179/excli2018-1092U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.MSG symptom complex.
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.U.S Food and Drug Administration.Questions and answers on monosodium glutamate (MSG).Bawaskar HS, Bawaskar PH, Bawaskar PH.Chinese restaurant syndrome.Indian J Crit Care Med. 2017;21(1):49-50. doi:10.4103/0972-5229.198327Geha RS, Beiser A, Ren C, et al.Review of alleged reaction to monosodium glutamate and outcome of a multicenter double-blind placebo-controlled study.J Nutr. 2000;130(4S Suppl):1058S-62S. doi:10.1093/jn/130.4.1058SSurbakti KP, Sjahrir H, Juwita-sembiring R, Mutiara E.Effect of flunarizine on serum glutamate levels and its correlation with headache intensity in chronic tension-type headache patients.Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2017;5(6):757-761. doi:10.3889/oamjms.2017.172Assarzadegan F, Asadollahi M, Hesami O, Aryani O, Mansouri B, Beladi Moghadam N.Secondary headaches attributed to arterial hypertension.Iran J Neurol. 2013;12(3):106-110.Shimada A, Cairns BE, Vad N, et al.Headache and mechanical sensitization of human pericranial muscles after repeated intake of monosodium glutamate (MSG).J Headache Pain. 2013;14:2. doi:10.1186/1129-2377-14-2Allen DH, Delohery J, Baker G.Monosodium L-glutamate-induced asthma.J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1987;80(4):530-537. doi:10.1016/0091-6749(87)90003-0Woessner KM, Simon RA, Stevenson DD.Monosodium glutamate sensitivity in asthma.J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1999;104(2 Pt 1):305-310. doi:10.1016/s0091-6749(99)70371-4Obayashi Y, Nagamura Y.Does monosodium glutamate really cause headache?: a systematic review of human studies.J Headache Pain. 2016;17:54. doi:10.1186/s10194-016-0639-4Mayo Clinic.What is MSG? Is it bad for you?Henry-unaeze HN.Update on food safety of monosodium l-glutamate (MSG).Pathophysiology. 2017;24(4):243-249.Niaz K, Zaplatic E, Spoor J.Extensive use of monosodium glutamate: A threat to public health?.EXCLI J. 2018;17:273-278. doi:10.17179/excli2018-1092U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.MSG symptom complex.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
U.S Food and Drug Administration.Questions and answers on monosodium glutamate (MSG).Bawaskar HS, Bawaskar PH, Bawaskar PH.Chinese restaurant syndrome.Indian J Crit Care Med. 2017;21(1):49-50. doi:10.4103/0972-5229.198327Geha RS, Beiser A, Ren C, et al.Review of alleged reaction to monosodium glutamate and outcome of a multicenter double-blind placebo-controlled study.J Nutr. 2000;130(4S Suppl):1058S-62S. doi:10.1093/jn/130.4.1058SSurbakti KP, Sjahrir H, Juwita-sembiring R, Mutiara E.Effect of flunarizine on serum glutamate levels and its correlation with headache intensity in chronic tension-type headache patients.Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2017;5(6):757-761. doi:10.3889/oamjms.2017.172Assarzadegan F, Asadollahi M, Hesami O, Aryani O, Mansouri B, Beladi Moghadam N.Secondary headaches attributed to arterial hypertension.Iran J Neurol. 2013;12(3):106-110.Shimada A, Cairns BE, Vad N, et al.Headache and mechanical sensitization of human pericranial muscles after repeated intake of monosodium glutamate (MSG).J Headache Pain. 2013;14:2. doi:10.1186/1129-2377-14-2Allen DH, Delohery J, Baker G.Monosodium L-glutamate-induced asthma.J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1987;80(4):530-537. doi:10.1016/0091-6749(87)90003-0Woessner KM, Simon RA, Stevenson DD.Monosodium glutamate sensitivity in asthma.J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1999;104(2 Pt 1):305-310. doi:10.1016/s0091-6749(99)70371-4Obayashi Y, Nagamura Y.Does monosodium glutamate really cause headache?: a systematic review of human studies.J Headache Pain. 2016;17:54. doi:10.1186/s10194-016-0639-4Mayo Clinic.What is MSG? Is it bad for you?Henry-unaeze HN.Update on food safety of monosodium l-glutamate (MSG).Pathophysiology. 2017;24(4):243-249.Niaz K, Zaplatic E, Spoor J.Extensive use of monosodium glutamate: A threat to public health?.EXCLI J. 2018;17:273-278. doi:10.17179/excli2018-1092U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.MSG symptom complex.
U.S Food and Drug Administration.Questions and answers on monosodium glutamate (MSG).
Bawaskar HS, Bawaskar PH, Bawaskar PH.Chinese restaurant syndrome.Indian J Crit Care Med. 2017;21(1):49-50. doi:10.4103/0972-5229.198327
Geha RS, Beiser A, Ren C, et al.Review of alleged reaction to monosodium glutamate and outcome of a multicenter double-blind placebo-controlled study.J Nutr. 2000;130(4S Suppl):1058S-62S. doi:10.1093/jn/130.4.1058S
Surbakti KP, Sjahrir H, Juwita-sembiring R, Mutiara E.Effect of flunarizine on serum glutamate levels and its correlation with headache intensity in chronic tension-type headache patients.Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2017;5(6):757-761. doi:10.3889/oamjms.2017.172
Assarzadegan F, Asadollahi M, Hesami O, Aryani O, Mansouri B, Beladi Moghadam N.Secondary headaches attributed to arterial hypertension.Iran J Neurol. 2013;12(3):106-110.
Shimada A, Cairns BE, Vad N, et al.Headache and mechanical sensitization of human pericranial muscles after repeated intake of monosodium glutamate (MSG).J Headache Pain. 2013;14:2. doi:10.1186/1129-2377-14-2
Allen DH, Delohery J, Baker G.Monosodium L-glutamate-induced asthma.J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1987;80(4):530-537. doi:10.1016/0091-6749(87)90003-0
Woessner KM, Simon RA, Stevenson DD.Monosodium glutamate sensitivity in asthma.J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1999;104(2 Pt 1):305-310. doi:10.1016/s0091-6749(99)70371-4
Obayashi Y, Nagamura Y.Does monosodium glutamate really cause headache?: a systematic review of human studies.J Headache Pain. 2016;17:54. doi:10.1186/s10194-016-0639-4
Mayo Clinic.What is MSG? Is it bad for you?
Henry-unaeze HN.Update on food safety of monosodium l-glutamate (MSG).Pathophysiology. 2017;24(4):243-249.
Niaz K, Zaplatic E, Spoor J.Extensive use of monosodium glutamate: A threat to public health?.EXCLI J. 2018;17:273-278. doi:10.17179/excli2018-1092
U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.MSG symptom complex.
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