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Instant noodles Natalie Bot, Pixabay

Despite being one of the most popular and beloved convenience food consumed throughout the world, instant noodles are incredibly unhealthy. They might be inexpensive, easy to prepare and might also claim to contain added nutrients, but be aware of the potential ill effects of eating instant noodles. Read further to find out what they are:

1. Impairs your digestive system- Being highly processed, instant noodles can strain your digestive system and it might take many hours to break it down. When you eat it too quickly, it can raise your blood sugar and insulin levels. The preservatives and toxic chemicals in it, over time, can lead to an over-exposure of chemicals that can cause diarrhea and abdominal discomfort.

2. Ups your risks of heart diseases- Researchers have reported that individuals who ate an immoderate amount of instant noodles were at an increased risk of developing metabolic syndrome- a set of symptoms such as high blood pressure, low HDL cholesterol levels, diabetes, stroke and higher risks of heart diseases.

3. The high salt content can cause health issues- Instant noodles contain enormous amounts of salt that can impact your overall health. Researchers have found that high dietary sodium intake to be associated with high death rates and can also cause elevated blood pressure and heart diseases.

4. MSG causes weight gain- Instant noodles contained monosodium glutamate (MSG) as a flavor enhancer. While it has been labeled as a safe additive, it is still quite harmful in reality. Health surveys suggest that high MSG intake over time has led to weight gain in people.

5. Risk of development delays- When children under the age of five consume instant noodles on a regular basis, it can interfere with their body’s capacity of nutrient absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. When their bodies deny nutrients, it can cause a risk of delayed mental or physical progress of the children.

Instant noodles are also low in nutrition and fiber content. Thus, it is recommended that you stop consuming them. But if you love your noodles a bit too much to completely stop eating them, you can opt for healthier recipes such as homemade ramen noodles or chicken yakisoba to treat your cravings.