Did MSG From Your Take-Out Food Cause a Headache? (2024)

FAQs

Did MSG From Your Take-Out Food Cause a Headache? ›

Although the FDA has classified MSG as safe for consumption, some people have reported sensitivities to it. The most frequently reported side effects include headaches, muscle tightness, tingling, numbness, weakness, and flushing ( 8 ).

Most people with an MSG-related headache describe a tightening or even burning head sensation. 1 People will also commonly notice muscle tenderness around their skull. In people with a history of migraines, MSG can be a trigger. In this instance, people usually report a classic throbbing or pulsating headache.

MSG has been used as a food additive for many years. During this time, the FDA has received many reports of concerning reactions that people have attributed to foods that had MSG in them. These reactions — called MSG symptom complex — include: Headache.

People may experience symptoms within two hours after eating foods that contain MSG. Symptoms can last a few hours to a couple of days. Common symptoms include: headache.

Chinese food and soups contain monosodium glutamate (MSG) as the main addictive ingredient. A sensitive individual may suffer from headache, giddiness, sweating, abdominal pain, and urticaria within a few hours of consumption of MSG.

These symptoms of MSG sensitivity are generally temporary and can appear about 20 minutes after eating MSG and last for about two hours. If you suffer from this sensitivity, it is best to avoid MSG and glutamate.

Flushing, sweating, chest pain, and weakness are all potential reactions to monosodium glutamate, or MSG, a flavor enhancer and popular ingredient in many Asian cuisines. Other symptoms include headache, facial pressure, drowsiness, and numbness and tingling in the face, back, and arms.

While it's possible to have either a food sensitivity to MSG or any MSG-containing foods, there's no scientific evidence to prove that the food additive causes allergies in humans. If you experience unusual symptoms after eating particular food items, see your doctor for possible testing.

Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)

A recent study found that monosodium glutamate is a potential trigger for migraines, though the study did mention that it was premature to conclude that MSG causes headaches. Because of this uncertainty, it may still be a good idea to avoid foods that contain MSG.

Although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has labeled MSG as safe for consumption, some people question its long-term health effects (1). In addition, many people have reported adverse effects from consuming MSG, with headaches or migraine attacks being among the most common.

How do you know if food has MSG? ›

Food manufacturers must declare when MSG is added, either by name or by its food additive code number 621, in the ingredient list on the label of most packaged foods. For example, MSG could be identified as: 'Flavour enhancer (MSG)', or. 'Flavour enhancer (621)'.

MSG is present in some of our menu offerings as a flavor enhancer, but we also offer a variety of options which do not contain added MSG. To help our customers make informed decisions, we provide comprehensive nutrition facts and ingredient lists on our Nutrition and Allergens page. Was this answer helpful?

No, eating Chinese food won't give you a headache, but the MSG added to the food might. Yes, a lot of folks are sensitive to monosodium glutamate, myself included. The Food and Drug Administration has classified MSG as a food ingredient that's “generally recognized as safe,” but its use remains controversial.

Beside its flavour enhancing effects, MSG has been associated with various forms of toxicity (Figure 1(Fig. 1)). MSG has been linked with obesity, metabolic disorders, Chinese Restaurant Syndrome, neurotoxic effects and detrimental effects on the reproductive organs.

MSG boosts the flavor of foods by stimulating taste receptors and has been shown in research studies to increase the acceptance of particular flavors. Adding MSG to foods results in an umami taste, which is characterized as savory and meaty ( 4 ). This popular additive has been deemed GRAS by the FDA.

Some people experience symptoms, such as breathing difficulties, headaches, and sweating, after eating monosodium glutamate (MSG). However, there is no evidence that MSG is harmful. MSG is a food additive that enhances flavor. It is commonly used in restaurants and pre-packaged foods.

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a food additive suspected of causing reactions such as headache, 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.

Less than 1% of the general population is thought to have MSG sensitivity. For these people, eating large amounts could result in unpleasant symptoms like dizziness, headache, trouble breathing, or numbness.