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Monosodium L-glutamate: a double-blind study and review
1Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Business & Technology, University of Western Sydney, Campbelltown, NSW, Australia.
Summary
Monosodium L-glutamate (MSG) consumption did not cause adverse effects in healthy subjects. Rigorous testing revealed no significant link between MSG and symptoms attributed to it, challenging the "Chinese Restaurant Syndrome" anecdote.
Area of Science:
- Food Science
- Human Nutrition
- Toxicology
Background:
- The "Chinese Restaurant Syndrome" (CRS) is a colloquial term for a collection of postprandial symptoms attributed to the consumption of monosodium L-glutamate (MSG).
- Previous studies investigating MSG's effects have faced methodological challenges, including taste masking and extrapolation of food-free results to real-world consumption scenarios.
Purpose of the Study:
- To rigorously evaluate the physiological and sensory effects of various monosodium L-glutamate (MSG) doses in healthy human subjects under controlled conditions.
- To critically assess the scientific validity of the widely reported "Chinese Restaurant Syndrome" and its purported link to MSG intake.
Main Methods:
- A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study involving 71 healthy participants.
- Administration of placebo and escalating doses of MSG (1.5g, 3.0g, 3.15g) before a standardized breakfast, with treatments delivered via capsules and specially formulated drinks.
- Careful control for MSG aftertaste and rigorous methodology to ensure blinding integrity.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in reported sensations between placebo (86% no response) and MSG treatments (85% no response).
- A significant negative correlation (P < 0.05) was observed between MSG dose and reported after-effects, indicating higher doses were associated with fewer perceived effects.
- The presence of food significantly mitigated any potential effects of substantial MSG doses.
Conclusions:
- The study found no credible scientific evidence to support a causal link between MSG consumption and the symptoms commonly described as "Chinese Restaurant Syndrome."
- Methodological flaws in prior research, particularly the inability to mask MSG's strong taste, likely contributed to invalid "blind" study claims.
- The "Chinese Restaurant Syndrome" appears to be an anecdote rather than a scientifically validated condition linked to MSG.