If you have had heart palpitations, you may be concerned about their cause and what they mean. You may fear that you suffer from heart disease or other conditions. Although you should speak with your doctor about any cardiovascular concerns you may have, you might not need to look any further than the foods you eat -- and the additives they contain. Food additives can cause a wide variety of undesirable health effects and heart palpitations are among them. If you feel that you are experiencing heart palpitations as a result of additives, you should avoid or restrict foods containing them.
Monosodium Glutamate
Monosodium glutamate, more commonly known as MSG, is an additive commonly used in Chinese food dishes. According to MedlinePlus, monosodium glutamate is the suspected cause of a condition called "Chinese restaurant syndrome," which is a collection of symptoms some people report after recent ingestion of Chinese food. Among the symptoms are chest pain, flushing, headache, numbness and sweating. Heart palpitations are listed as one of the more serious effects of Chinese restaurant syndrome. In addition, MedlinePlus reports that irregular heart rhythm seen on an electrocardiogram is one of the diagnostic signs of this condition.
Caffeine
Caffeine is frequently used as an additive in various energy drinks, according to Ruth Winter in her book "A Consumer's Dictionary of Food Additives." In addition, herbal ingredients that are chemically very similar to caffeine, such as guarana and kola nut, aren't required to be identified as caffeine ingredients. Winter reports that while there is currently an upper limit on the amount of caffeine permitted in colas and soft drinks, there is no limit for energy drinks. Caffeine can cause heart palpitations, along with other effects like nausea, jitters and insomnia.
Aspartame
The artificial sweetener aspartame, also marketed as NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, and EqualMeasure, is associated with a wide variety of adverse effects. According to Mercola.com, aspartame accounts for 75 percent of food additive side effects. Aspartame is associated with heart palpitations, along with other effects such as headaches, numbness, nausea, muscle spasms, tachycardia, slurred speech, fatigue, anxiety attacks and more. If you're not certain whether aspartame is the cause of any of these symptoms, stop consuming aspartame and consult your doctor.
