From: Does monosodium glutamate really cause headache? : a systematic review of human studies
First author | Vehicle for MSG administration | Protocol | Number of subjects | Incidence of headache | Statistical difference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Prawirohardjono W (2000) [7] | Opaque capsule | (1)In the morning, after fasting for 10Ā h, subjects ingested three capsules containing MSG(0.5Ā g MSG & 0.5Ā g lactose or 1.0Ā g MSG) or placebo(1.0Ā g lactose). (2)A standardized breakfast was provided and consumed immediately after capsule ingestion. | 52 healthy volunteers (Indonesians) (Mean age 29.6āĀ±ā6.5y, mean mass 53.4āĀ±ā7.4Ā kg, mean height 159.9āĀ±ā7.7Ā cm) *No indication about gender. | Placebo : 3 1.5Ā g MSG : 4 3.0Ā g MSG : 2 | No difference |
Tarasoff L (1993) [6] | Capsule | Fasting condition On first 3Ā days, 6 capsules immediately followed by breakfast. | 71 healthy volunteers (female:41, mean age:30.7) *Mainly Caucasians | Placebo (gelatin powder): 1 1.5Ā g MSG: 0 3.0Ā g MSG: 0 | No difference |
Specially formulated drinks | On remaining 2Ā days, 300Ā ml soft drink immediately followed by breakfast. | Placebo (drink): 0 3.15Ā g MSG (drink): 0 | No difference | ||
Tanphaichitr V (1983) [8] | Boiled rice with pork | Menu A-D(w/o MSG), E(added 3Ā g MSG) were serve as breakfast on Day 1ā5 by this order. | 50 adults (male:25, female:25) | Menu A(w/o MSG):4 Menu B(w/o MSG):0 Menu C(w/o MSG):2 Menu D(w/o MSG):2 Menu E(3Ā g MSG):0 | No difference |
Zanda G (1973) [9] | Beef bouillon | 3Ā g MSG(placebo: no MSG, no substitute) in 150Ā ml beef bouillon followed by other dishes. [First session] Some subjects at random received MSG. [Second session(2Ā days later)] Opposite to the first session | 73 healthy volunteers (male:38, female:35, mean age:25, 17ā76y) | Control(male):1 Control(female):1 3Ā g MSG (male):1 3Ā g MSG (female):6* (Pā<ā0.05) Responded to both (male):2 Responded to both (female):2 | Only MSG-treated women had a significantly higher incidence of headache than control. |
Blood pressure and pulse rate were also recorded. | Ā | Ā | |||
Morselli PL (1970) [10] | Beef broth | 3Ā g MSG in 150Ā ml beef broth followed by other dishes(meat, vegetables, fruit). [First session] MSG:8 sub., control:16 sub. [Second session(2Ā days later)] Opposite to the first session | 24 healthy volunteers (male:17, female:7) | Control: 1 3Ā g MSG: 2 | No difference |