What are ramen noodles?Ramen is a type of noodle soup. According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, ramen was originally brought to Japan by Chinese traders in the 1880s. Called la mian in Cantonese, or “stretched out noodles,” it was popularized as ramen in Japan, and includes chewy wheat flour noodles in a brothy soup base with various toppings, such as veggies, meats, or seafood.
Eating instant ramen every day may lead to metabolic syndrome
Metabolic syndrome is a medical term used to describe a combination of several health conditions (per the Mayo Clinic). Together, they increase your risk of heart attack, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. The involved conditions include elevated blood pressure, high blood sugar levels, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels. As many as one-third of adults in the United States have metabolic syndrome.
What connection does instant ramen have to this then? Keck Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC) states that “Doctors believe that the processed ingredients, high sodium content, and significant amount of saturated fats in ramen contribute to elevated blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, and a higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.” Additionally, women should exercise extra caution when chowing down on noodles on a daily basis. Women who consume instant noodles twice a week or more may be up to 8% more likely to develop metabolic syndrome, even in otherwise healthy and active individuals.
Young adults, including college students, are also considered at risk. Dorm dwellers tend to be big fans of instant ramen. A 2017 study published in Nutrition Research and Practice explored the effects of overeating instant noodles on cardiometabolic function in South Korean college students, aged 18 to 29. Researchers concluded that there was indeed a link between individuals who ate instant noodles more often and signs of metabolic syndrome, such as increased plasma triglyceride levels, diastolic blood pressure, and fasting blood glucose levels.
You may gain weight
There are several reasons why eating instant ramen every day may lead to weight gain. Although the calories listed on the package may not seem alarming at first, people may not realize that they are eating more than one serving. A standard package usually equals two servings, with somewhere around 380 total calories depending on brand and flavor (via Verywell Fit). Keep in mind that the amount of daily calories that your body actually requires varies based on sex, weight, and activity level. For specific recommendations, WebMD provides a helpful table of estimated calorie requirements.
Another problem with instant ramen and weight management is that despite eating a large bowl, you may feel hungry again soon after (per The Mighty). This can lead to you eating more calories overall throughout the day. Why doesnt ramen fill you up? For one thing, eating so many refined carbs can lead to your blood sugar spiking and dipping, prompting you to eat more. Additionally, instant ramen is low in fiber and protein, two important dietary elements that help to keep you from feeling hungry. Fiber and protein can help people lose excess weight or maintain a healthy body mass index (BMI) over time. And while instant ramen falls short in these areas, it has plenty of saturated fats. Of course, that isnt a good thing for your waistline, either. Lastly, eating instant ramen often leads to water retention and bloating due to the high sodium content, which can also affect the bottom line number on your scale.