The recent Maggi noodles controversy has not only made the instant noodles go off the shelf in most homes, but has put other brands under the scanner too. A few loyal fans still continue to enjoy their steaming Cup O’ Noodles, but the majority of people are beginning to get cautious. Instant noodles is a food item that has always been under a lot of speculation. When I was a little girl, I was allowed to have it only on Sundays. My mother would say, “Isme maida hai, indigestion hoga zyada khane se,” meaning, most instant noodles are made of maida (refined flour) which could cause indigestion. A common belief was that instant noodles could lead to bowel troubles and obesity.
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I therefore decided to put to rest these speculations and seek expert advice on the same. With the world gobbling down 102.7 billion instant noodle servings in a year, it’s finally time to analyze how much is too much and whether we require to draw a line on processed food consumption.
According to a report published by the World Instant Noodles Association, India stands fourth in the global instant noodles consumption listing at 5.5 billion servings per year. China tops the list at a staggering 44.4 billion servings consumed annually. Keeping the above statistics in mind as well as the recent hullabaloo around one of the nation’s most loved instant noodles brand, we aim at simplifying and bringing to light the implications of excessive instant noodles consumption on human body.
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What makes it so bad?
AdvertisementSince 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.
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Last year, The Washington Post had reported of a South Korean study conducted on the effects of instant noodles on human health. According to the study, “Although instant noodles is a convenient and delicious food, there could be an increased risk for metabolic syndrome given [the food’s] high sodium, unhealthy saturated fat and glycemic loads,” said Hyun Shin, a doctoral candidate at the Harvard School of Public Health and a co-author of the study.
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“Women who ate instant noodles twice a week or more had a higher risk of metabolic syndrome than those who ate less, or not at all, regardless of whether their diet style fell into the traditional or fast-food category, ” as published in The Washington Post.
The study concluded that excessive instant noodle consumption can not only trigger obesity but also metabolic ailments like diabetes, high blood pressure, hypertension, heart problems and so on.
Reference: http:/food.ndtv.com
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