The controversy over MSG, or monosodium L-glutamate, began in the 1960s. People complained that they had headaches, sweating, and more after eating food with MSG.
This food additive has a fascinating (and problematic) history, and after years of being feared, studies are showing the critiques against MSG may be unfounded.
References
Freeman, M. (2006). Reconsidering the effects of monosodium glutamate: A literature review. Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.
Henry-Unaeze, H. N. (2017). Update on food safety of monosodium l-glutamate (MSG). Pathophysiology.
Kwok, R. H. (1968). Chinese-restaurant syndrome. New England Journal of Medicine.
MedlinePlus. (2022). MSG symptom complex.
Obayashi, Y., et al. (2016). Does monosodium glutamate really cause headache?: A systematic review of human studies. The Journal of Headache and Pain.
Schaumburg, H. H., et al. (1969). Monosodium L-glutamate: Its pharmacology and role in the Chinese restaurant syndrome. Science.
U.S. Food & Drug Administration. (2018). Questions and answers on monosodium glutamate (MSG).
Why trust our experts?
