Well, before we start discussing it, you probably aware and familiar about this topic. Some people said instant noodle is the cause of intestinal cancer, high blood pressure, etc. Here is one article written by Marlene Leung, CTVNews.ca :
“Instant noodles have long been a popular meal option, loved for their convenience and low cost. But a new study suggests they may increase the risk for heart disease and stroke. And the study has sparked renewed interest in an eye-opening video that shows how our stomachs handle processed foods.
The study, published last week in The Journal of Nutrition, was based off of data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2007-2009.
Using the survey data, researchers examined the diets of a total of 10,711 adults between the ages of 19-64.
They found that consumption of instant noodles two or more times a week was associated with a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome in women but not in men. Metabolic syndrome is set of conditions – including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess abdominal fat and abnormal cholesterol -- which combined increase the risk for heart disease, stroke and diabetes.”
Now, let’s see what really is inside instant noodle. Here is the general nutrition fact in instant noodle.
First of all, we must understand our nutrition need and our daily intake to learn about this nutrition fact. According to the Australia New Zealand Standards Code (FSC), a balanced diet for an average adult is made up of the following nutrients each day:
Energy : 8,700 kilojoules/ 2000 calories
Protein : 50 grams
Fat : 70 grams
Carbohydrates : 310 grams
Sugars : 90 grams
Sodium (salt): 2.3 grams
Dietary Fibre : 30 grams
Saturated Fatty Acids : 24 grams
First, people concern about the Sodium (Na) compound in instant noodle that will cause high blood pressure. But we must know that Na is naturally occurs in salt (NaCl). In one serving of instant noodle cover 32% of body intake. If you take instant noodle and another food contains more salt in it, so you might excess your body requirement of salt. If it happens, no wonder if you are having high blood pressure.
Second, people concern about the carbohydrate fat content that might be related to high cholesterol problem. The excessive of carbohydrate intake into your body will change carbohydrate into fat and the fat will be stored under your skin. The excessive of fat might also cause harmful fat in your blood which we called as low density of lipoprotein (LDL). This high amount of LDL in your blood blocks your blood circulation and causes many diseases.
Third, the additives in instant noodles. Let’s be realistic now. We are living in modern world in which people require convenience in everything, mostly in food. We cannot get rid of it. Additives are everywhere added to meet the consumer’s need in convenience food. There are additives in every food you have in your fridge, either flavor enhancer, preservatives, or even food coloring. That is the painful fact that everybody must accept nowadays.
In our opinion, it is not the instant noodle to blame for diseases people have, but themselves. Let us repeat again what the research found “consumption of instant noodles two or more times a week was associated with a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome”. So, their unbalance dietary intake is the cause of the diseases. It is simply explained by not consuming anything beyond the limit. Moreover if you only consume instant noodle without consuming other healthy food to fulfill your nutrition. You also can die if you drink 100 liters of water in a day, right? Everything could be harmful if you do not have balance nutrition in your life. So before blaming instant noodles, please take a look to ourselves and see evaluate the food we consume every day.