PubHawk
October 2016 PMID 27189588

Does monosodium glutamate really cause headache? : a systematic review of human studies.

Yoko Obayashi, Yoichi Nagamura

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Mentions

49
Peak: 2 in Apr 2021
across 5 sources since Sep 2019

Extended reach

507,375
potential audience

Total likes

22,960

Video views

443,391

Mentions per month

Sep 2019 – Oct 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News21 articles
  • X / Twitter13 posts
  • Facebook8 posts
  • Blogs4 articles
  • YouTube3 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Many discussions emphasize the lack of strong scientific evidence linking MSG to headaches, using phrases like 'no strong evidence' and 'causality not confirmed,' which reflect a tone of skepticism rooted in the review's findings. Some comments, like calling out misconceptions or dismissing unfounded beliefs, show an effort to challenge myths, but a few posts also demonstrate dismissiveness or humor, indicating a mixed level of deep engagement.

AgreementStrong agreement

Most posts agree that current evidence does not strongly support a link between MSG and headaches, citing the systematic review's findings.

InterestModerate interest

Posts show a moderate interest by highlighting new research and emphasizing the lack of substantial evidence, but some dismissive comments indicate limited engagement.

EngagementModerate engagement

Several posts engage with the topic by referencing research studies and criticizing misconceptions, but overall engagement remains relatively surface-level.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussions suggest the article helps challenge false beliefs and could influence public perceptions about MSG, but the overall impact appears moderate, not transformative.

Abstract in brief

  • The review found that existing studies are inconsistent and often have methodological issues, like lack of proper blinding, making it hard to confirm that MSG directly causes headaches.
  • The only notable difference was a higher incidence of headaches in women when MSG was consumed without food, but this finding wasn't conclusive across studies.
  • Overall, the review suggests more rigorous research is needed to determine if there's a real causal relationship between MSG intake and headaches.]
Read the full abstract

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Juan
@stripe_mx · X

@AriesTerron Aqui está este en humanos para que dejes de mamar https://t.co/CvjPr8boq5

Jul 31, 2025 · 5 likes · 426 followers View post →
Harriet Carroll: Long Covid Scientific Consultancy
@angryhacademic · X

Today's fun fact: contrary to popular belief, there is no strong evidence to suggest #MSG gives people a #headache https://t.co/qWFrYT0FKV

Apr 27, 2021 · 4 likes · 4 shares · 8,758 followers View post →
Cherry
@CherryLaramie · X

@TheKRUSHER727 placebo probably. there has been no causal link found between msg and headaches and to be quite frank msg is found naturally in far more foods than people realize so your mom has almost certainly had msg without realizing it and not gotten a headache https://t.co/3egJSLZXs2

Sep 20, 2022 · 1 like · 296 followers View post →
PF Anderson @pfanderson@disabled.social
@pfanderson · X

Does monosodium glutamate really cause headache? : a systematic review of human studies @okashido https://t.co/60ep3NIr8V

Sep 27, 2021 · 1 share · 10,786 followers View post →
Harriet Carroll: Long Covid Scientific Consultancy
@angryhacademic · X

RT @angryhacademic: Today's fun fact: contrary to popular belief, there is no strong evidence to suggest #MSG gives people a #headache http…

Apr 27, 2025 · 4 shares · 8,758 followers View post →
Harriet Carroll: Long Covid Scientific Consultancy
@angryhacademic · X

RT @angryhacademic: Today's fun fact: contrary to popular belief, there is no strong evidence to suggest #MSG gives people a #headache http…

Apr 27, 2024 · 4 shares · 8,758 followers View post →

All mentions

Juan
@stripe_mx · X

@AriesTerron Aqui está este en humanos para que dejes de mamar https://t.co/CvjPr8boq5

Jul 31, 2025 · 5 likes · 426 followers View post →
Harriet Carroll: Long Covid Scientific Consultancy
@angryhacademic · X

RT @angryhacademic: Today's fun fact: contrary to popular belief, there is no strong evidence to suggest #MSG gives people a #headache http…

Apr 27, 2025 · 4 shares · 8,758 followers View post →
Harriet Carroll: Long Covid Scientific Consultancy
@angryhacademic · X

RT @angryhacademic: Today's fun fact: contrary to popular belief, there is no strong evidence to suggest #MSG gives people a #headache http…

Apr 27, 2024 · 4 shares · 8,758 followers View post →
g-omni
@gomni1807 · X

@VVuff @soft_fox_lad @lite_hause @JoePompliano Here's one such study synthesizing other research on the subject: https://t.co/SQrtM0QjS1

Jul 4, 2023 · 771 followers View post →
Harriet Carroll: Long Covid Scientific Consultancy
@angryhacademic · X

RT @angryhacademic: Today's fun fact: contrary to popular belief, there is no strong evidence to suggest #MSG gives people a #headache http…

Apr 27, 2023 · 4 shares · 8,758 followers View post →
Cherry
@CherryLaramie · X

@TheKRUSHER727 placebo probably. there has been no causal link found between msg and headaches and to be quite frank msg is found naturally in far more foods than people realize so your mom has almost certainly had msg without realizing it and not gotten a headache https://t.co/3egJSLZXs2

Sep 20, 2022 · 1 like · 296 followers View post →
Harriet Carroll: Long Covid Scientific Consultancy
@angryhacademic · X

RT @angryhacademic: Today's fun fact: contrary to popular belief, there is no strong evidence to suggest #MSG gives people a #headache http…

Apr 27, 2022 · 4 shares · 8,758 followers View post →
Paulette Arochena ✍
@parochena · X

@AnarchoThot @DavidLehrfeld And more recently… https://t.co/VvrwdlsQ8G That they ‘don’t know’ doesn’t mean ‘does not exist’.

Jan 3, 2022 · 797 followers View post →
SystematicReviewBot
@EvidenceRobot · X

RT @pfanderson: Does monosodium glutamate really cause headache? : a systematic review of human studies @okashido https://t.co/60ep3NIr8V

Sep 27, 2021 · 1 share · 6,709 followers View post →
PF Anderson @pfanderson@disabled.social
@pfanderson · X

Does monosodium glutamate really cause headache? : a systematic review of human studies @okashido https://t.co/60ep3NIr8V

Sep 27, 2021 · 1 share · 10,786 followers View post →
Harriet Carroll: Long Covid Scientific Consultancy
@angryhacademic · X

Today's fun fact: contrary to popular belief, there is no strong evidence to suggest #MSG gives people a #headache https://t.co/qWFrYT0FKV

Apr 27, 2021 · 4 likes · 4 shares · 8,758 followers View post →
Keeble (area bird)
@realmaxkeeble · X

Send this study to the racist-in-a-jay-Leno-kinda-way boomers in your life https://t.co/aylGzmvzVs

Apr 1, 2021 · 362 followers View post →
Medical Platform
@Medplatform · X

المصادر : https://t.co/PavfVpKLTN - https://t.co/d5BDncx8XT - https://t.co/9Y7PMrVcEz - https://t.co/n09XNPlFHb - https://t.co/iA9TrW5acP

Sep 12, 2019 · 4 followers View post →