Are Instant Noodles Good, Bad and Ugly for Your Health
Instant noodles are precooked noodles that are available in a wide range of flavors. Devoured both for their ease of cooking and taste, they are one of the most widely eaten food all over the world. Ramen noodles, Nissin cup noodles, White Curry Noodle are some Famous Instant Noodles in the world.
The Good
Instant noodles, true to their name not only provide instant relief from hunger pangs and but also instant gratification in the way of taste and comfort. They are a delicious and inexpensive choice of food consumed by millions of people around the world. Easily available, these are a popular choice of food in all age groups. And that’s where the good part ends.
The Bad
Though their popularity is certainly justified, what the majority of its consumers might not know is that they are not a healthy food option. In fact the harmful properties of the instant noodles far outnumber the reason for its popularity. Even the ones made from whole grains and mixed with vegetables do not pack many nutrients required by the human body.
The Ugly
Instant noodles contain high amounts of saturated fats and trans fats, which cause strokes and clogged arteries. They are also high in sodium and low on fiber content. High levels of sodium can cause hypertension, dehydration, osteoporosis, edema, kidney stones, gastric ulcers, hormonal imbalances and heart failure.
Instant noodles also contain very high levels of Monosodium glutamate (MSG). It is a flavor enhancer, which does nothing to add to our good health. Though glutamate is produced naturally in human bodies, any glutamate that is produced outside the body and used as food flavoring can cause learning disabilities, headaches, nausea, chest pains, and heart palpitations. The use of MSG is controversial, but pregnant women and children are certainly better off without consuming it.
One other major concern with instant noodle is that it can produce oxidized fat if the manufacturing process is not carefully administered. Oxidized fat is another reason for clogged arteries.
Prolonged consumption of instant noodles can cause cancer of the colon and slow poisoning of the nervous system. Their consumption adversely affects the brain function especially in children.
Though an occasional serving of instant noodles is no way harmful, the cons of eating instant noodles far outweigh the pros. A good practice whenever we might crave it and reach the shelf in the super market is to remember that instant noodles are just flavors sans any goodness, so that we might limit our serving.
