Extra Credit

Jacquelin Daddato

Bio 22

81072

Due: 8.16.14

Extra Credit – Why Ramen Noodles Could Cut Your Life Short

Recent studies have come to light that ramen and other instant noodle products may increase a person’s risk for cardiometabolic syndrome. Cardiometabolic syndrome is a risk factor for severe cardiovascular disease and stroke, especially in women. The lead researcher Hyun Joon Shin, MD released a statement in a press release stating that this research is really important because so many people consume these products and are unaware of the health risks. Looking at the data from 10,711 adults between the ages of 19 to 64, they found that if a person consumes noodles twice or more a week that there was a strong association with cardiometabolic syndrome which is abnormalities affecting the bodies cardiovascular, renal and metabolic systems.

The link is not completely clear but it is thought that these problems are stemming from the food packaging. It is being packaged in Styrofoam, which contains bisphenol A, which is a hormone disruptor and that could also be why it mainly is targeting women. The list of unhealthy chemicals goes on such as MSG and a preservative tertiary-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) and is high in saturated fat. This is one of many studies that are coming to light. A previous study showed that ramen noodles took a unusual amount of time to digest and was having difficulty grinding up and dissolving the strands. While I am not an instant noodle fan, this is very disturbing and maybe it would be wise to take these off the shelves.

Works Cited:

Greenfield, Beth. “Why Ramen Noodles Could Cut Your Life Short.” Yahoo Health. Yahoo

Lifestyle Network, 14 August 2014. Web. 14 August 2014.

https://www.yahoo.com/health/why-ramen-noodles-could-cut-your-life-short-94747327572.html