Are Instant Ramen Noodles Bad for You, or Good?
Instant noodle is a type of food that consists of packaged foods such as soup, noodles, cereal bars etc. These products usually contain ingredients like water, salt and sugar which are added at the time of manufacture. They are then cooked in a pressure cooker until they reach their desired texture. Some instant noodles have been manufactured with preservatives and other additives. For example, some brands of instant oatmeal contain maltodextrin (a carbohydrate) which helps prevent tooth decay.
The main reason why people consume these types of foods is because they are convenient, cheap and easy to prepare. However, there are health concerns associated with consuming them as well. There are many studies that show the negative effects of eating processed foods. The FDA has even issued warnings about the dangers of eating certain kinds of fried chicken and red meat.
Some studies have shown that consuming high amounts of sodium increases your risk for hypertension, heart disease, stroke and kidney stones. Eating too much fat may cause obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure. High levels of saturated fats increase your risk for coronary artery disease (CAD). Eating too much processed food like instant noodles may also cause metabolic syndrome, a condition which is characterized by excess fat around the waist, high blood pressure, high blood sugar and abnormal cholesterol levels.
There have been studies in the past that have connected instant noodles to certain forms of cancer but these claims are still up for debate because there is not enough evidence that can prove this theory. There is ongoing research being done on this topic.
So are instant noodles good or bad for you?
Well if you eat them in moderation and avoid eating too much of them, then they shouldn’t cause any major health risks. You should also make sure that you’re eating a well-balanced diet along with your instant noodles to make sure that you’re getting all the vital nutrients that your body needs to stay healthy.
Noodle Types
There are many different types of instant noodles. They range from your traditional buckwheat soba noodles to your standard egg noodles. Each type of noodle has a different taste and texture which is why some people prefer one brand over another. The recipes for each brand of instant noodles are also closely guarded secrets that are passed down from generation to generation.
Sources & references used in this article:
Instant Noodles as an Antifriction Device: Making the BOP with PPP in PNG by F Errington, T Fujikura, D Gewertz – American Anthropologist, 2012 – Wiley Online Library
Instant noodles: are they really good for health by M Sikander, A Malik, MSG Khan – A Review. Electronic J Biol, 2017 – researchgate.net
Instant Noodle Seasonings by K Fabrizio, R Potineni, K Gray – Asian Noodles: Science …, 2010 – Wiley Online Library
Ramen Noodles by S Kim, RM Livengood – Food and Folklore Reader, 2015 – Bloomsbury Publishing