Ramen Noodles May Increase Risk of Heart Disease, Diabetes: Study

New research suggests that eating more than two servings of instant noodles per week may increase an individual’s risk of developing heart disease, diabetes and stroke, raising potential concerns about Ramen Noodles and other instant noodle products. 

In a study published in the Journal of Nutrition, researchers from the Baylor Research Institute found a link between instant noodles and cardiometabolic syndrome, which is a collection of abnormalities affecting the body’s cardiovascular, renal and metabolic systems.

Researchers evaluated data on nearly 11,000 adults between the ages of 19 and 64, assessing their diet during 2007 to 2009= using 63-item food-frequency questionnaires, the Korean national health and Nutrition examination Survey IV.

Two major Korean dietary patterns were identified, a traditional dietary pattern and a meat and fast food pattern. The traditional dietary pattern consisted of rice, fish, vegetables, fruit and potatoes. The meat and fast food pattern was made up of significantly less rice; but rich in meat, soda, fried food, fast food and instant noodles.

The highest quintile in the meat and fast food pattern had an increased prevalence of abdominal obesity, LDL cholesterol greater than 130 mg/dL, a decreased prevalence of low HDL cholesterol and high triglycerides. The highest quintile for the traditional dietary pattern was associated with a decreased prevalence of elevated blood pressure and marginally lower trends of abdominal obesity.

Both of the dietary patterns were found to be associated to a higher risk of cardiometabolic risk factors, including heart disease and diabetes.

While neither of the dietary trends was associated with a higher risk of metabolic syndrome, researchers found women who ate products like Ramen noodles more than two times per week had an increased risk of metabolic syndrome.

“This research is significant since many people are consuming instant noodles without knowing possible health risks,” Dr. Shin said. “My hope is that this study can lay a foundation for future research about the health effects of instant noodle consumption.”

Consumption of instant noodles is relatively high in Asian populations. Dr. Hyun Joon Shin, lead author of the study, and the team focused primarily on South Korea because they have the highest per capita number of instant noodle consumers in the world. South Korea has seen a significant increase in heart disease and overweight residents in recent years.

Researchers worry this could lead to increased rate of death due to cardiovascular disease. It could also significantly increase healthcare costs.

The higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome risk in women may be attributed to innate biological differences between men and women, such as hormone and metabolism. Men and women also have different eating habits and the accuracy of reporting what was eaten may also play a role.

Researchers speculate bisphenol-A (BPA) may also play a role in gender differences. BPA is used to package ramen noodles in Styrofoam containers. Prior studies have revealed BPA’s role in interrupting the endocrine system which affects the way hormones operate within the body, especially estrogen.

A study published in August 2013 revealed BPA affects a woman’s fertility, causing the egg not to mature properly.