Everyone has eaten instant noodles at least once in their life, but for most people, it is a too often consumed food. The popularity of instant noodles is proven by the fact that 95 billion servings of instant noodles are being consumed around the world every year.
Their popularity comes from many features –they are very cheap, they have a long shelf life, they are super easy and fast to make and they come in so many different flavours.
An even though they can fill your calorie need, they are not full of nutrients. This is proven by their low levels of protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals. Instant noodles are also really high in saturated fats and carbohydrates.
Instant noodles connection to different diseases have been proven many times. For example, a study conducted by Harvard University scientists that researched the impact of instant noodles on health, came to a result not many of us want to believe: regular instant noodle consumption increases the risk of developing metabolic syndrome, which means having health problems such as high blood pressure, high blood sugar and increased risk of heart diseases, stroke and diabetes. The risk of metabolic syndrome does not depend on lifestyle, which means that the probability of otherwise healthy and fit people falling ill is the same as for unhealthy and unfit persons.
In addition to metabolic syndrome, it has been proven that instant noodles can increase the risk of many other diseases, for example heart disease and stroke. The diseases are caused by substance found in instant noodles called Tertiary-butyl hydroquinone (TBHQ), which is used as a food additive to preserve cheap processed foods. TBHQ is actually a by-product of the petroleum industry and can do a lot of harm to our health.
Doctor Hyun Shin, one scientist of the Harvard study said that it does not of course mean, that every person, who eats instant noodles, falls ill. But he emphasized that instant noodles are highly processed and because of that they cannot be considered health foods.
Also, in June 2012, the Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) found a cancer causing substance known as Benzopyrene in six different brands of instant noodles.
So next time you are in the mood for instant noodles, think twice and remember the possible dangers.
