The best invention since sliced bread is instant noodles. Making these things takes less than a minute or two for foodies like me out there, making it simple for full-time parents and workers to prepare something quick and delectable. Can we really trade off our health for something that satisfies our cravings, though?
What many people fail to realize is that the inexpensive noodles we regularly eat at work, at home, or even with our kids are actually harmful to our health.
According to a 2015 estimate from the World Instant Noodle Association, China, Indonesia, and Japan are the nations with the highest instant noodle consumption rates worldwide. The low cost and low calorie content of items like Pot Noodle, which has only 142 calories per 100g, is by far one of the main draws of instant noodles.
There is also the widespread misconception that adding vegetables to your instant noodles will increase their nutritional value. However, like many other foods, vegetables and fruits cannot make up for any unhealthy food product’s negative effects.
Following is a list of health issues that instant noodles can lead to if you’re ready to learn more:
The Intake of Instant Noodles Could Be Linked to Poor Diet Quality
According to some studies, eating instant noodles frequently may be linked to a poor quality diet in general.
In one study, the diets of instant noodle users and non-users were compared.
The consumers of instant noodles did consume more of a few specific micronutrients, but they consumed significantly less of protein, calcium, vitamin C, phosphorus, iron, niacin, and vitamin A.
Additionally, the study found that instant noodle consumers had an increased intake of sodium and calories compared to the non-instant noodle consumers (11).
Additionally, instant noodles may raise your risk of metabolic syndrome, which raises your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.
A 2014 study looked at the diets of 10,711 adults. It found that eating instant noodles at least twice per week increased the risk of metabolic syndrome in women (19).
In a different investigation, 3,450 young adults’ vitamin D status was compared to dietary and lifestyle factors.
Intake of instant noodles was associated with decreased levels of vitamin D. It was also associated with obesity, a sedentary lifestyle and intake of sugar-sweetened beverages (20).
Instant noodles have 861 mg of sodium per serving.
However, if you eat the entire package, that amount doubles to 1,722 mg of sodium (2).
Evidence suggests that individuals who are salt-sensitive may experience negative effects from high sodium intake.
These individuals may be more susceptible to the effects of sodium and an increase in sodium intake may cause an increase in blood pressure (21).
Those who are black, over 40 years old or have a family history of high blood pressure are the most likely to be affected (22).
Reducing sodium intake has been linked to benefits for people with salt sensitivity, according to studies.
One study looked at the effects of reduced salt intake in over 3,153 participants. In participants with high blood pressure, each 1,000-mg reduction in sodium intake led to a 0.94 mmHg reduction in systolic blood pressure (23).
Another investigation looked at the long-term effects of salt reduction in adults at risk of high blood pressure over a period of 10-15 years.
In the end, it found that reducing sodium intake decreased the risk of a cardiovascular event by up to 30% (24).
They Are Low in Calories, but Also Low in Fiber and Protein
Instant noodles have 188 calories per serving, which is less than some other types of pasta (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).
Instant noodles have fewer calories than traditional noodles, so consuming them might help you lose weight.
However, many people consume the entire packet of noodles at once, which amounts to two servings.
It’s also crucial to remember that instant noodles are low in protein and fiber, so they might not be the best choice for weight loss.
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).
The noodles themselves are…not great for you either.
So, uh, researchers have quite literally looked inside people to see what it is that happens when they ingest instant noodles, and, uHhHhh, its not great!!! Thats probably because they contain tertiary-butyl hydroquinone, a preservative that is decidedly bad for you.
FAQ
Are cup noodles healthy?
Given the high levels of fats, carbohydrates, and preservatives present in cups of noodles—a small serving of Mama noodles cup of noodles contains only 5g protein, 11g fat, and 37g carbohydrates—they are not healthy, even though they are tasty and easy to prepare.
What happens if you eat cup noodles everyday?
Regular consumption of instant noodles has also been linked to a higher risk of metabolic syndrome, a condition characterized by excess abdominal fat, hypertension, diabetes, and abnormal blood lipid levels (14)
Is Cup noodles bad for weight loss?
Instant noodles are high in fat, carbohydrates, and sodium and low in protein, fiber, and other essential nutrients. They might not be the best option for people trying to lose weight because they can lead to weight gain and an increase in belly fat.
How often can I eat instant noodles?
You can eat it however often as you want, really. But keep in mind that even without the seasoning packet, one package of ramen still contains a sizable amount of sodium. You can check the individual brand you buy online. If I recall correctly, experts advise against consuming more than 2,000mg per day.
