Consuming too much instant noodles could result in hormone imbalances, obesity, and possibly cerebral problems.

• Written by Nandita Narayanan
• In quotes by Dr. Soumita Biswas (nutritionist), Dr. Sanjeevareddy (pediatrician), and Dr. Pitchiah Kasinathan (dietitian)

Photo by Anantha Subramanyam K / Happiest Health

It is not a secret there is no doubt that instant noodles have become an essential part of nearly every Indian household. Instant noodles are a fantastic option for children and college students as they are easy to cook and inexpensive. They are consumed by students the noodles as a complete meal, not just an appetizer. However, does this come with an expense?

Why do instant noodles cause harm, and are they addictive?

Each time we eat Instant noodles, we can experience an incredibly delicious and savory taste due to the emulsifiers found in the noodles, as well as the tastemaker. “All processed foods contain emulsifiers which help enhance their taste,” says Pitchiah Kasinathan, a dietitian in the clinical department of Fortis Malar Hospital, Chennai. “These additives also help in enhancing and retaining the product’s appearance and texture apart from increasing the shelf-life.”

Creative marketing is also one of the primary reasons youngsters are enticed to consume instant noodles. “Because the appealing colours and visuals of the advertisements are consistently being played on TV or found on social media, these brands tend to make these children their primary demographic and get them hooked on their instant noodles,” Kasinathan says. Kasinathan.

Instant noodles could cause obesity as well as other health hazards.

Indulgence in instant noodles may cause an over-consumption of salt, sugar, and fat, posing significant health risks.

AA 2017 study found an uncontradictory relationship between eating instant noodles with risk factors like insulin resistance and impaired glucose tolerance, and hypertension in college students (aged between 18 and 29) from Seoul. It was also discovered that the participants in the study had high diastolic blood pressure (pressure on the arterial walls that occurs between beats of the heart) as well as blood sugar.

In the same way, Dr. Sanjeevareddy, Consultant in Pediatrics and neonatology at PICU, Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bengaluru, states that excessive consumption of instant noodles poses very dangerous for children’s development because this food high in sodium is a health risk and doesn’t provide nutritious nutrition. “Because they are low in calories and proteins, they can jeopardise their nutritional requirements if consumed frequently or as a replacement for regular meals,” Dr. Reddy.

He explains that eating balanced foods is essential for children until age five since this is their developmental stage. He cites the case of kids and children who visit him often due to being overweight or suffering from other issues. “Children aren’t likely to gain weight rapidly, especially between the time of birth and around the age of five since they’re often physically active. If they are eating food with no physical activity, issues like obesitywill become a problem in their adolescent age (16-17 to 17 years old).”

Kasinathan warns that certain ingredients used in instant noodles could cause long-term health problems other than obesity. “Some of the additives could cause hormonal imbalances for women. A compound called TBHQ (tertiary butylhydroquinone) causes liver and rashes. problems, while MSG (monosodium glutamate) may cause problems with the brain,” he notes.

He also emphasizes that children with ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) should avoid additives such as TBHQ because it can affect their behavior.

Eliminate instant noodles in favor of healthier alternatives.

Dr. Soumita Biswas, the chief clinical nutritionist of Aster RV Bengaluru, says that organic whole wheat noodles are a healthier option for instant noodles. “Make sure they’re made with vegetables because it makes the dish much healthier and ensures there’s no nutritional deficit,” she suggests.

She offers healthy alternatives to snacks that parents can cook for their college students and teenagers who are running.

• Any fruit
• Yogurt that is homemade, not packaged, set curds
• Vegetable/egg/chicken rolls made with chapatis
• Dry fruits
• Homemade sandwiches.

“My sole suggestion is to consume as many home-cooked food as you can instead of satiating your the craving with a unhealthy packet of cup noodles regardless of whether they contain the addition of vegetables, or no. It is ultimately processed food that will always be unhealthful,” says Dr Biswas.

Takeaways

• Adolescents and children tend to consume instant noodles because of the flavor enhancers they contain and emulsifiers.
• Consumption of instant noodles, in the long term,, could lead to weight gain, hormonal problems, and brain issues.
• Experts advise sticking with healthy snacks which can be made at home.