Monosodium glutamate (MSG)

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is the sodium salt of glutamate, used to add savory (umami) flavor. Despite the long-standing "Chinese-restaurant-syndrome" reputation, rigorous double-blind studies have not found that normal dietary MSG causes headaches or other symptoms in the general population, and dietary glutamate does not meaningfully cross into the brain. It is considered safe at typical intakes; its main nutritional note is contributing sodium.