Harmful Effects of Instant Noodles

Instant noodles are fast and convenient to use. They usually seem as a perfect solution for a busy day. However, many recent studies have shown a bunch of harmful effects of instant noodles. They exceed even bad effects of classical junk food to our health. The most dangerous ingredient found in instant noodle is tertiary-butyl hydroquinone (TBHQ). This additive is considered artificial antioxidant that prevents oxidation processes of fat and oils. It has the property to prolong a shelf life of processed food. For that reason, instant noodles are not easily digestible. They stay in bowels more than two hours undigested. Even though medical experts are not aware how harmful this low process of retaining TBHQ inside the body can be, they know how toxic TBHQ really is. Namely, only 1 gram of TBHQ might cause vomiting, nausea, breathing problems, and so on. What is more, a five-gram dose is considered lethal. To learn more about other harmful effects of instant noodles, the article “The Dark Side of Instant Noodles: What Makes Them Harmful?” gives us the following explanation.

Since these instant noodles are made to bear a longer shelf life, they are highly processed. They are low on nutritive content; high on fat, calories and sodium; and are laced with artificial colours, preservatives, additives and flavourings.

“In most cases monosodium glutamate (MSG) as well as tertiary-butyl hydroquinone (TBHQ) – a chemical preservative derived from the petroleum industry – may be present in instant noodles for their taste enhancing and preserving properties. Though dietary intake of these elements is allowed within a limit, regular intake of these can cause severe health issues,” said Dr. Sunil Sharma, general physician and head of emergency, Madan Mohan Malviya Hopsital, New Delhi.

Most instant noodles are made of maida – milled, refined and bleached version of wheat flour. What makes maida so bad for our health is the fact that it is highly processed – richer in flavour but, unfortunately, devoid of any nutrition.

According to Dr. Simran Saini, Nutritionist at Fortis Hospital, New Delhi, “Maida-based instant noodles are loaded with preservatives and are nothing but a source of empty calories ripped of all nutrition. Excessive consumption may lead to obesity.”

“In most cases it has been seen that these maida-based instant noodles take a toll on the digestive process. Its remnants may reach the appendix area of the body and trigger infection,” she added.

Unfortunately, most processed foods are loaded with not-so-good fats like saturated fatty acids or trans-fats. Monounsaturated fatty acids as well polyunsaturated fatty acids are the good-for-you fats. If one digs deep into food labels and what those terms really stand for, one will realise that edible vegetable oil, sugar, sugar syrup, flavour enhancer and many other agents like these aren’t good for your health at all. Instant noodles contain 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.

Apart from these harmful effects of instant noodles, medical experts also warn us about metabolic syndrome. Namely, studies have shown that almost 70 percent of people who eat this suspicious food develop metabolic syndrome. This is especially worse for women. To prevent junk food to take a toll on our body, we should eat real food and avoid processed food at all costs. People who follow the rules of healthy diet and are health conscious may prevent many dangerous illnesses such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, and so on. If we add exercising, spending regular outdoor time, absorbing enough sunlight, and minimizing stress may greatly prolong our life and add quality to it. But, to break the addiction to junk food is not easy. Though it is the only way to avoid its harmful effects.