Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Monosodium glutamate intake increases hemoglobin level over 5 years among Chinese adults

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Amino Acids Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The aim of this analysis was to determine the relationship between monosodium glutamate (MSG) intake and change in hemoglobin (Hb) levels and the risk of anemia over 5 years in 1197 Chinese men and women who participated in the Jiangsu Nutrition Study (JIN). MSG intake and Hb were quantitatively assessed in 2002 and followed up in 2007. Diet and lifestyle factors were assessed at both time points. There was a positive association between MSG intake and increase in Hb among men but not women. In the multivariate model adjusting for demographic and lifestyle factors as well as baseline dietary pattern, the beta values and 95% confidence interval for Hb changes across quartiles of MSG intake were 0, 0.67(0.04–1.29), 0.99(0.38–1.60), 0.73(0.13–1.34) among men (p for trend 0.091); 0, −0.01(−0.45–0.43), 0.23(−0.25–0.71), and −0.45(−0.96–0.05) among women (p for trend 0.087). Among anemic participants at baseline, there was a significant inverse association between MSG intake and the risk of anemia at follow-up. Comparing extreme quartiles of MSG intake among those anemic at baseline, the relative risk for persistent anemia at follow-up was 0.49 (95% CI: 0.28–0.86, p < 0.01). The association was independent of dietary patterns and lifestyle factors. A dose–response relationship between MSG intake and increase in Hb levels among anemic participants was seen. MSG intake may have independent Hb-increasing effects, especially among men and those anemic at baseline.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Axelsson J, Qureshi AR, Heimburger O, Lindholm B, Stenvinkel P, Barany P (2005) Body fat mass and serum leptin levels influence epoetin sensitivity in patients with ESRD. Am J Kidney Dis 46:628–634

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Baad-Hansen L, Cairns BE, Ernberg M, Svensson P (2010) Effect of systemic monosodium glutamate (MSG) on headache and pericranial muscle sensitivity. Cephalalgia 30:68–76

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Barros A, Hirakata V (2003) Alternatives for logistic regression in cross-sectional studies: an empirical comparison of models that directly estimate the prevalence ratio. BMC Med Res Methodol 3:21

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bennett BD, Solar GP, Yuan JQ, Mathias J, Thomas GR, Matthews W (1996) A role for leptin and its cognate receptor in hematopoiesis. Curr Biol 6:1170–1180

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Boutry C, Matsumoto H, Airinei G, Benamouzig R, Tome D, Blachier F, Bos C (2011) Monosodium glutamate raises antral distension and plasma amino acid after a standard meal in humans. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 300:G137–G145

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chang S, Ge K, Zhai F, Jia F, Xu X (1998) The analysis of nutritional factors on anemia in Chinese adults. Acta Nutrimenta Sinica 20:132–137

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cheah JH, Kim SF, Hester LD, Clancy KW, Patterson SE, Papadopoulos V, Snyder SH (2006) NMDA receptor-nitric oxide transmission mediates neuronal iron homeostasis via the GTPase Dexras1. Neuron 51:431–440

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chung B, Matak P, McKie AT, Sharp P (2007) Leptin increases the expression of the iron regulatory hormone hepcidin in HuH7 human hepatoma cells. J Nutr 137:2366–2370

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dallman PR (1984) Diagnosis of anemia and iron deficiency: analytic and biological variations of laboratory tests. Am J Clin Nutr 39:937–941

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Diniz YS, Faine LA, Galhardi CM, Rodrigues HG, Ebaid GX, Burneiko RC, Cicogna AC, Novelli ELB (2005) Monosodium glutamate in standard and high-fiber diets: metabolic syndrome and oxidative stress in rats. Nutrition 21:749–755

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fantuzzi G, Faggioni R (2000) Leptin in the regulation of immunity, inflammation, and hematopoiesis. J Leukoc Biol 68:437–446

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Forth W, Rummel W (1973) Iron absorption. Physiol Rev 53:724–792

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • He K, Zhao L, Daviglus ML, Dyer AR, van Horn L, Garside D, Zhu L, Guo D, Wu Y, Zhou B, Stamler J (2008) Association of monosodium glutamate intake with overweight in Chinese adults: the INTERMAP study. Obesity 16:1875–1880

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • He Y, Ma G, Zhai F, Li Y, Hu Y, Feskens EJ, Yang X (2009) Dietary patterns and glucose tolerance abnormalities in Chinese adults. Diabetes Care 32:1972–1976

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Imamura F, Lichtenstein AH, Dallal GE, Meigs JB, Jacques PF (2009) Confounding by dietary patterns of the inverse association between alcohol consumption and type 2 diabetes risk. Am J Epidemiol 170:37–45

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jinap S, Hajeb P (2010) Glutamate. Its applications in food and contribution to health. Appetite 55:1–10

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kwok RHM (1968) Chinese-restaurant syndrome. N Engl J Med 278:796

    Google Scholar 

  • Li L, Rao K, Kong L, Yao C, Xiang H, Zhai F, Ma G, Yang X (2005) A description on the Chinese national nutrition and health survey in 2002. Zhonghua liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi 26:474–484

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li YP, He YN, Zhai FY, Yang XG, Hu XQ, Zhao WH, Ma GS (2006) Comparison of assessment of food intakes by using 3 dietary survey methods. Zhonghua Yu Fang Yi Xue Za Zhi 40:273–280

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lynch SR (1997) Interaction of iron with other nutrients. Nutr Rev 55:102–110

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Martinez-Torres C, Layrisse M (1970) Effect of amino acids on iron absorption from a staple vegetable food. Blood 35:669–682

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Muhilal, Permeisih D, Idjradinata YR, Muherdiyantiningsi, Karyadi D (1988) Vitamin A-fortified monosodium glutamate and health, growth, and survival of children: a controlled field trial. Am J Clin Nutr, 48, 1271–1276

  • Oudit G, Sun H, Trivieri M, Koch S, Dawood F, Ackerley C, Yazdanpanah M, Wilson G, Schwartz A, Liu P, Backx P (2003) L-type Ca2 + channels provide a major pathway for iron entry into cardiomyocytes in iron-overload cardiomyopathy. Nat Med 9:1187–1194

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shi Z, Hu X, Yuan B, Pan X, Dai Y, Holmboe-Ottesen G (2006a) Association between dietary patterns and anaemia in adults from Jiangsu Province in Eastern China. Br J Nutr 96:906–912

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shi Z, Hu X, Yuan B, Pan X, Meyer HE, Holmboe-Ottesen G (2006b) Association between serum ferritin, hemoglobin, iron intake, and diabetes in adults in Jiangsu, China. Diabetes Care 29:1878–1883

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shi Z, Hu X, He K, Yuan B, Garg M (2008a) Joint association of magnesium and iron intake with anemia among Chinese adults. Nutrition 24:977–984

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shi Z, Hu X, Yuan B, Hu G, Pan X, Dai Y, Byles JE, Holmboe-Ottesen G (2008b) Vegetable rich food pattern is related to obesity in China. Int J Obes (Lond) 32:975–984

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shi Z, Hu X, Yuan B, Hu G, Pan X, Holmboe-Ottesen G (2008c) Coexistence of anaemia and the metabolic syndrome in adults in Jiangsu, China. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr 17:505–513

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shi Z, Hu X, Yuan B, Pan X, Dai Y, Holmboe-Ottesen G, Byles JE (2008d) Strong negative association between intake of tofu and anemia among Chinese adults in Jiangsu, China. J Am Diet Assoc 108:1146–1153

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shi Z, Pan X, Holmboe-Ottesen G (2009a) Meat consumption and anemia in Chinese adults in Jiangsu Province. In: Amesel L, Hirsch L (eds.) Food Science and Security. Nova Science Publisher, New York

  • Shi Z, Zhou M, Yuan B, Qi L, Dai Y, Luo Y, Holmboe-Ottesen G (2009b) Iron intake and body iron stores, anaemia and risk of hyperglycaemia among Chinese adults: the prospective Jiangsu Nutrition Study (JIN). Public Health Nutr 13:1319–1327

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shi Z, Luscombe-Marsh ND, Wittert GA, Yuan B, Dai Y, Pan X, Taylor AW (2010a) Monosodium glutamate is not associated with obesity or a greater prevalence of weight gain over 5 years: findings from the Jiangsu Nutrition Study of Chinese adults. Br J Nutr 104:457–463

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shi Z, Yuan B, Qi L, Dai Y, Zuo H, Zhou M (2010b) Zinc intake and the risk of hyperglycemia among Chinese adults: the prospective Jiangsu Nutrition Study (JIN). J Nutr Health Aging 14:332–335

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stamler J, Brown IJ, Daviglus ML, Chan Q, Kesteloot H, Ueshima H, Zhao LC, Elliott P, INTERMAP Research group (2009) Glutamic Acid, the main dietary amino acid, and blood pressure the INTERMAP Study (International collaborative study of macronutrients, micronutrients and blood pressure). Circulation 120:221–228

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thomson CA, Stanaway JD, Neuhouser ML, Snetselaar LG, Stefanick ML, Arendell L, Chen Z (2011) Nutrient intake and anemia risk in the women’s health initiative observational study. J Am Diet Assoc 111:532–541

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Uneyama H, Sangabriel A, Kawai M, Tomoe M, Torii K (2008) Physiological role of dietary free glutamate in the food digestion. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr 17(Suppl 1):372–375

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • WHO (1968) Nutritional anaemias. Report of a WHO scientific group. World Health Organ Tech Rep Ser 405:5–37

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu YF, Huxley R, Li LM, Anna V, Xie GQ, Yao CH, Woodward M, Li X, Chalmers J, Gao RL, Kong LZ, Yang XG, China NNHS Steering Comm; China NNHS working (2008) Prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in china: data from the China National Nutrition and Health Survey 2002. Circulation 118:2679–2686

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yang Y (2005) Chinese food composition Table 2004. Peking University Medical Press, Beijing

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhai F, Wang H, Du S, He Y, Wang Z, Ge K, Popkin BM (2007) Lifespan nutrition and changing socio-economic conditions in China. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr 16(Suppl 1):374–382

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao W, Hasegawa K, Chen J (2002) The use of food-frequency questionnaires for various purposes in China. Public Health Nutr 5:829–833

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zolotarev V, Khropycheva R, Uneyama H, Torii K (2009) Effect of free dietary glutamate on gastric secretion in dogs. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1170:87–90

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

Z.S. had full access to all data in the study and takes responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis. Z.S. devised the study concept; Z.S. and B.Y. acquired the data; Z.S. conducted the statistical analysis; Z.S. drafted of the manuscript; B.Y., A.W.T., E.D.G, and G.A.W. critically revised the manuscript for important intellectual content. Z.S. had primary responsibility for final content. The authors thank the participating Regional Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Jiangsu Province, including the Nanjing, Xuzhou, Jiangyin, Taicang, Suining, Jurong, Sihong and Haimen Centers, for their support in the data collection. The study was financed by Jiangsu Provincial Natural Science Foundation BK2008464 and Jiangsu Provincial Health Bureau. The data analysis was supported a research grant from International Glutamate Technical Committee. The contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the funding bodies.

Conflict of interest

Shi Z, Yuan B, Wittert G, and Taylor A received a research grant from International Glutamate Technical Committee. Dal Grande E has no conflicts of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nutrition and Foodborne Disease Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, 172 Jiangsu Road, Nanjing, 210009, China

    Zumin Shi & Baojun Yuan

  2. Discipline of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5000, South Australia

    Zumin Shi, Anne W. Taylor, Eleonora Dal Grande & Gary A. Wittert

Authors
  1. Zumin Shi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Baojun Yuan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Anne W. Taylor
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Eleonora Dal Grande
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Gary A. Wittert
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zumin Shi.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Shi, Z., Yuan, B., Taylor, A.W. et al. Monosodium glutamate intake increases hemoglobin level over 5 years among Chinese adults. Amino Acids 43, 1389–1397 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-011-1213-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-011-1213-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation