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Does monosodium glutamate cause flushing (or merely "glutamania")?
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
|August 1, 1986
Summary
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) does not appear to cause flushing in most individuals, even those with a history of "Chinese restaurant syndrome." However, MSG and pyroglutamate may cause facial edema and other symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Food Science
- Dermatology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is commonly implicated as the trigger for "Chinese restaurant syndrome" (CRS).
- Facial flushing is often cited as a primary symptom of CRS reactions to MSG.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of MSG and its cyclization product, pyroglutamate, to provoke facial flushing.
- To assess the relationship between MSG consumption and subjective reports of CRS symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Facial cutaneous blood flow was monitored using laser Doppler velocimetry in six subjects.
- Twenty-four individuals with a history of CRS flushing were challenged with MSG in a laboratory setting.
- Patient records of MSG challenges were reviewed.
Main Results:
- No flushing was observed in any of the twenty-four subjects tested, despite eighteen reporting a history of CRS flushing.
- MSG and pyroglutamate were found to potentially provoke edema and associated symptoms.
Conclusions:
- MSG-provoked flushing appears to be rare, if it occurs at all.
- Edema and other symptoms, distinct from flushing, may be associated with MSG and pyroglutamate exposure.