ARTICLE 4

Instant Noodles: Are they really good for health?

By
Sikander Madiha (2017)
Instant noodles are generally used up in Asian nations. Instant noodles seem to have started in
Japan in the 1950s and today, are created in more than 80 nations around the world. Instant
noodles are available in dried and precooked noodle block, with seasoning oil and or flavoring
powder. The seasoning is commonly in a different sachet, in spite of the fact that if there should
arise an occurrence of container noodles the flavoring powder is regularly free in the glass.
Precooked instant noodles range is seal pressed and those might be warmth up or eaten in a flash
from the holder/parcel. While dried noodles pieces are cooked or absorbed boiling water before
expending.
Instant noodles are considered unhealthy food mainly due to the following reasons:

1. High in sodium
One packet of instant noodles prepared with a full sachet or premixed seasoning can easily
contain up to 821 milligrams for 100 g sodium, which is about 36 per cent of the recommended
daily amount of sodium intake. Furthermore, excessive consumption of salt/sodium can increase
a person risk of high blood pressure and stroke. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration
recommends that individuals consume no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day, and
certain groups limit intake to 1,500 milligrams per day. An increased long term intake of sodium
is related to Hypertension (high blood pressure), heart disease and sometimes even kidney
failure.

2. High in fat
Instant noodles are high in fat especially saturated fats which if consumed excessively or
regularly can raise the level of cholesterol in the blood. Having high cholesterol increases the
risk of heart disease as well as type 2 diabetes. For a 2,000 calorie diet, it is recommended no
more than 65 grams of fat be consumed per day and not more 20 grams of saturated. Most of the
fat comes from the noodles, and you can see a bit of oil on the surface when you soak them in
boiling water. Some noodles contain extra oil seasoning, but even the noodles that only have dry
seasoning (which had very little fat) the total fat content will still be substantial

3. Contain Preservatives

Most instant noodles contain an ingredient known as monosodium glutamate (MSG), a common
food additive used to enhance flavor in processed foods. It is a flavor enhancer utilized by instant
noodles producers to make their shrimp flavors or beefier. In the US, products that contain added
MSG are required to say so on the ingredients label. People who are oversensitive to MSG can
get consuming sensations, trunk and facial flushing or torment and cerebral pains from it. MSG
is also naturally found in products such as hydrolyzed vegetable protein, yeast extract, soy
extract, tomatoes and cheese. Some studies have linked extremely high MSG consumption to
weight gain and even increased blood pressure, headaches and nausea

4. Very low micro nutrients

Instant noodles almost zero amounts of vitamins and minerals. A diet deficient in vitamins and
minerals cause a variety of physical problems ranging from night blindness to scurvy. Another
study looked at vitamin D status and its relation to dietary and lifestyle factors in 3,450 young
adults, intake of instant noodles was also associated with decreased levels of vitamin D. It was
also associated with obesity, a sedentary lifestyle and intake of sugar-sweetened beverages
5. Polystyrene packaging
Polyethylene terephthalate that is mostly used in packaging of drinks and mineral water that is
toxic and has damaging effects on the body. Polypropylene that is used in packaging variety of
snacks. These substances are carcinogenic aromatic compounds and according to warnings from
experts, in long term use, have harmful effects on human health. Perhaps the increasing
prevalence of asthma in the past 30 years could be attributed to certain factors in the environment
such as Bisphenol A. Dioxin is another highly toxic chemical substance for human cells that is
particularly produced from plastic dishes by the heat of high fat foods. Next, Phthalates in plastic
materials cause hormonal abnormalities, birth defects and also reproductive problems.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/318217339_Instant_Noodles_Are_they_Really_Good_
for_Health_A_Review