Instant noodles have long been a popular meal option, loved for their convenience and low cost. But a new study suggests they may increase the risk for heart disease and stroke.
And the study has sparked renewed interest in an eye-opening video that shows how our stomachs handle processed foods. Instant noodle is a precooked and usually dried noodle block, sold with flavouring powder and/or seasoning oil, usually in a separate packet; though in the case of cup noodles the flavouring is often loose in the cup. Dried noodle blocks are cooked or soaked in boiling water; some instant noodle products are seal packed- these can be reheated or eaten straight from the packet.
US researchers have found that women who eat instant noodles at least two times a week have an increased risk of high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar and high cholesterol.
The study examined the data from 10,711 adults just over half of whom were women in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
The researchers from Harvard University found that there was a 68% higher risk of metabolic syndrome among women who ate instant noodles more than twice per week regardless of whether the rest of their diet consisted of rice, fish and vegetables, or a diet rich in meat and fried foods.
“The consumption of instant noodles was associated with increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome in women, independent of major dietary patterns,” said the study in the Journal of Nutrition.
But this was not the case in men.
A senior professor of nutrition and epidemiology at Harvard told that the results could be attributed to women reporting their diet more accurately or because postmenopausal women were more sensitive to the effects of carbohydrates, sodium and saturated fat.
Instant noodles should not be included as part of a healthy diet because it is typically highly processed and contain a large amount of calories, saturated fat, sodium, and glycemic load. It’s better to avoid the consumption of instant noodles, although occasional consumption (eg, once or twice per month) should not be a problem, researchers said.
