What happens to our body when we eat Instant noodles.
Instant noodles are popular all around the world. Instant noodles cost less and are easy to prepare. Students and people with time constraints opt for instant noodles due to their convenience.
A typical Instant noodle pack has a block of dried noodles, a small pack of flavoring agents, some of them have a cup or a bowl. Instant noodles require minimal efforts to prepare. Most of them need just boiling in hot water for a few minutes. This easy method of preparation makes Instant noodles popular.
Instant noodles have become a staple diet in many Asian countries like China, Indonesia. South Korea tops the list with the largest share of Instant noodle consumption.
Momofuku Ando in the year 1958 in Japan made the first instant noodles. He named it chicken ramen. He started mass production of instant noodles in industries.
‘Cup noodles’ was launched in 1971. The Cup noodles package works as storage, a vessel for cooking by adding boiling water and as a bowl for holding noodles while eating. It was for the first time in the Processed food industry
Instant noodles are poor in nutrition. Eating instant noodles regularly has many bad effects on our body. This article explains what happens to your body when you eat instant noodles.
Instant noodles are usually high in carbohydrates, Saturated fats, and trans fats. They are and low in fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Instant noodles are high in calories. Sedentary behavior is commonly seen in Instant noodle eaters. Instant noodle diet lacks fiber. Fiber helps in developing a sense of fullness after eating the food called satiety. Instant noodle eaters consume more amount of food without feeling full. All these factors cause weight gain in Instant noodle eater.
The fiber in the diet is essential for regular bowel movements. Instant noodles lacking fiber promote constipation.
The Korean Nutrition Society and the Korean Society of Community Nutrition published a study on Instant noodle consumption. Study compared food and nutrient intake in Instant noodles eaters and traditional noodles eaters.
People eating mainly Instant noodles consume significantly lower amounts of- potatoes and starches, sugars, seeds and nuts, vegetables, fruits, beverages, seasonings, oils and fats, meats and fishes. There is a lack of variety in their diet.
Instant noodle eaters consume more energy, fat, sodium, thiamine, and riboflavin. They consume less calcium, phosphorus, iron, potassium, vitamin A, niacin, and vitamin C. Instant noodles as a staple diet lead to severe vitamin and micronutrient deficiencies.
A study was done on college students frequently eating Instant noodles. The study found increased cardiometabolic risk factors in apparently healthy students. Instant noodle eaters had high cholesterol levels, increased blood pressure and increased fasting blood sugar levels.
Instant noodles have high levels of saturated fats and trans fats. They cause weight gain and increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. A study at Harvard University showed a 68% increased risk of metabolic syndrome in women who ate Instant noodles frequently.
Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of symptoms like- increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels. Metabolic syndrome develops due to insulin resistance in the body. Metabolic syndrome increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.
A study published in The Journal of Nutrition reported metabolic syndrome in young women eating Instant noodles. Younger, more active, and leaner women also developed metabolic syndrome in the study. The study reveals that physical activity, weight loss, and young age cannot prevent metabolic syndrome in Instant noodle eaters.
Instant noodles are rich in salt. High intake of sodium affects our body fluid levels and blood pressure. High sodium affects our kidneys. Kidneys handle electrolyte levels in the body, kidneys also control the blood pressure through a mechanism called Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). Kidneys put extra effort to process extra load of electrolytes. Over time this leads to deterioration of kidney function causing chronic kidney disease.
Instant noodles contain preservatives to increase shelf life. Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and t-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ)- preservatives used in instant noodles cause cancer.
Monosodium glutamate (MSG), another preservative is notorious for causing weight gain, increased blood pressure. Some people develop a condition called MSG complex- headache, flushing, sweating, increased heartbeat, weakness, nausea.
Instant noodles packaging usually has a styrofoam container. Bisophenol-A is a compound usually found in these containers. This is a selective modulator of estrogen receptors and interferes with normal functions of estrogen. It promotes fat deposition in women.
Instant noodles are poor in nutrition to be consumed as a staple diet. It is high in calories and fats, low in fibers, essential vitamins, and minerals. Instant noodles cause high cholesterol levels, weight gain, increase in blood pressure, vitamin deficiencies, and constipation. It increases the risk of diabetes, chronic kidney disease, cancer, and metabolic syndrome.
Researchers say more than 2 packs of instant noodles for a week are bad for you. In some countries, governments are bringing rules to fortify instant noodles with nutrients. We are yet to know long term effect of these fortifications.
A healthy diet picks from different food groups like Fresh vegetables, afresh fruits, cereals, pulses, nuts, seeds, eggs, poultry, fish, and meat in moderation. Eating foods from different groups is essential for getting different nutrients essential for our health and well being. Sticking to a monotonous diet like Instant noodles causes deficiency of essential nutrients.
We are what we eat. Our health is in our hands. Eating a healthy balanced diet is necessary for our health and well being. Stay away from a quick fix like Instant noodles.
