8 July 2018
Chinese restaurant syndrome: What you need to know
Some people experience symptoms, such as headaches and sweating, after eating in Chinese restaurants. The medical community once called this group of symptoms Chinese restaurant syndrome. Doctors now call it MSG symptom complex.
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a food additive that enhances flavor. It is commonly used in restaurants and pre-packaged foods.
While there are many anecdotal reports of MSG-induced symptoms, scientific research into the syndrome is limited.
As a result, the use of MSG remains controversial. Some Chinese restaurants advertise as being MSG-free.
Read on to learn more about MSG symptom complex and the health effects of this additive.
What is Chinese restaurant syndrome?
Selection of Chinese food that may cause Chinese restaurant syndrome
Chinese restaurant syndrome is now known as MSG symptom complex.
The term Chinese restaurant syndrome is no longer in professional use, though some people may still use the phrase to explain their symptoms.
Reported symptoms include:
breathing difficulties
chest pain
facial flushing
a headache
numbness or burning pain in the mouth
a rapid heart rate
sweating
swelling of the face
Sometimes, symptoms can be severe. A case report published in the Indian Journal of Critical Care Medicine described a 23-year-old man who experienced severe swelling in the mouth after eating Chinese food. He was unable to speak and had serious difficulty swallowing saliva.
Causes
While MSG symptom complex is likely related to MSG intake, researchers are still not entirely sure what causes the symptoms.
While MSG may not affect everyone, it appears that some people are extremely sensitive to it or other food additives.
What to know about MSG
MSG on a table which can cause Chinese restaurant syndrome
MSG is a flavor enhancer commonly added to processed meats.
MSG is made from glutamate, which is one form of glutamic acid, an amino acid that is naturally present in many foods.
The human body also produces glutamate and requires it for several functions, including learning and memory.
MSG is used to enhance flavor, and it is commonly added to Chinese food, processed meats, and canned goods.
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) consider MSG to be "generally recognized as safe."
However, because the FDA have received many reports of negative reactions to MSG, the administration requires manufacturers to feature added MSG on food labels.
Research
Relatively few studies have investigated the effects of MSG, especially in recent years.
A study from 2000 included 130 people who self-reported as being sensitive to MSG. They were administered MSG or a placebo.
Of those participants, 38.5 percent reacted to MSG only, 13.1 percent reacted to the placebo only, and 14.6 percent reacted to MSG and the placebo.
The reactions were typically mild. An increased dose of MSG without the presence of food was most likely to cause a reaction.
However, the researchers were unable to replicate the results when they repeated the test with the same of participants. This suggests that outside factors, such as food intake, may have caused the reactions.
In 2016, a review of studies concluded that eating MSG with food had no significant influence on the occurrence of headaches.
However, one study included in the review reported a significant link between the consumption of MSG and headaches in female participants.
The authors concluded that, overall, the methods used could not produce reliable, consistent results and that more research is needed.
It is important to note that an organization that promotes the use of glutamate employs one of these authors.
Researchers commonly administer MSG to mice to induce obesity. In the past decade, some people have wondered whether MSG intake is also linked to extra weight in humans.
One study from 2011 found that MSG was associated with an increase in weight in healthy Chinese adults. However, there have been conflicting results.
More research is needed to determine the effect of MSG on the body.
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