Why are instant noodles unhealthy?
Even though instant noodles are so popular because they’re quick, cheap, and tasty, many people are unaware of the potential health hazards. Regularly eating instant noodles can have a lot of very negative effects on your health. The following are some reasons why eating instant noodles is unhealthy:
They Are Low in Calories, but Also Low in Fiber and Protein
Instant noodles have fewer calories per serving than some other pasta varieties, at 188 (2)
A serving of pre-packaged lasagna, for example, contains 377 calories, while a serving of canned spaghetti and meatballs has 257 calories (3, 4).
Eating instant noodles may help you lose weight because they are lower in calories.
However, a lot of people consume the entire pack of noodles in one sitting, which amounts to two servings.
It’s also vital to remember that instant noodles are low in protein and fiber, so they might not be the greatest choice for losing weight.
Protein has been shown to increase feelings of fullness and decrease hunger, making it a useful tool in weight management (5, 6).
Fiber, on the other hand, moves slowly through the digestive tract, helping to promote feelings of fullness while enhancing weight loss (7, 8).
With only 4 grams of protein and 1 gram of fiber per serving, a serving of instant noodles likely won’t make much of a dent in your hunger or fullness levels. So despite being low in calories, it may not benefit your waistline (2).
They’re high in sodium
The sodium content of one serving of instant noodles can range from 397 to 3678 mg per 100 grams, and occasionally even higher. Although your body needs sodium to function properly, having too much of the mineral can be harmful to your health.
Processed foods, such as instant noodles, are one of the main sources of sodium in the diet. A diet heavy in salt has been associated with a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, and stomach cancer. A high-sodium diet may raise the risk of high blood pressure in those who are thought to be salt-sensitive, which can have detrimental effects on the health of the heart and kidneys.
It would be extremely difficult for you to maintain your sodium intake within the recommended limits if you were to consume even one pack of instant noodles, given the WHO’s recommendation of 2 grams per day. That being said, consuming numerous packets of instant noodles every day will surely result in excessive sodium intake.
MSG is a common additive found in many processed foods, including instant noodles. Its main function is to improve food flavor and palatability. Although the FDA has approved its use in a wide variety of foods, there are worries about the substance’s potential short- and long-term health effects.
Anecdotal evidence indicates that MSG consumption has been connected to symptoms such as flushing of the skin, headaches, nausea, elevated blood pressure, weakness, and tightness in the muscles. Should you encounter any of these signs following MSG consumption, you might be suffering from a disorder called the MSG symptom complex. It is recognized that a tiny proportion of people may experience these transient reactions to MSG, even though there hasn’t been any conclusive evidence to support the connection.
Additionally, some research has connected high MSG consumption to elevated blood pressure and obesity. However, as long as instant noodles are consumed in moderation, the trace amounts of MSG in them are probably not going to cause these negative effects.
