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# Instant noodles could be heart-breaking
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/instant_noodles_could_be_heart-breaking_0815140623/
- Published: 2014-08-15T19:22:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T15:47:18.000Z
- Description: Analysing 11,000 South Korean adults aged 19 to 64, researchers found women eating instant noodles twice a week or more were more likely to have metabolic syndrome, even when leaner and more active. Healthy eating did not offset it, and the link was weaker among men.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Food, Nutrition, #vivvo-import

Friday Aug 15, 2014 (foodconsumer.org) -- Scientists in South Korea and United States reported in the Journal of Nutrition that women eating instant noodles or otherwise known as ramen are at increased risk of metabolic syndrome which is linked to heart disease, diabetes mellitus and stroke.

After analyzing data from 11,000 adults in South Korea aged 19 to 64 years, researchers found women who ate instant noodles twice per week or more were more likely to develop metabolic syndrome than those who ate ramen less often or never ate. Eating healthy foods could not offset the increased risk induced by instant noodles. The detrimental effect was found even in young women who were leaner and more physically active.

Among men, the association between consumption of instant noodles and risk of metabolic syndrome was not as apparent as in women. The gender - there is some difference in sex hormones and metabolism, makes the difference, the researchers explain.

Consumption of instant noodles is extremely common in South Korea where 3.4 billion packages of instant noodles were consumed in 2010, which is equivalent to 65 packages per person in 2010.

An article earlier circulating on the Internet claims a 18-year-old girl who ate the same brand of instant noodles for ten years ended up looking like a 80-year old lady in terms of her health status due to chronic malnutrition. (David Liu, PHD)