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Each of us has tasted them at least once. Some prepare them out of necessity, because they are hungry and have no time or don’t feel like cooking for a long time. Others genuinely enjoy instant noodles and eat them every day. Given that today’s home life is too rushed, people forget the negatives of this diet and focus mainly on its advantages. Quick preparation and fairly good taste.
It satisfies hunger, but contains no nutrients
Why should you avoid instant noodles? One reason is that although they may satisfy your hunger, your body doesn’t get anything proper from them. They contain no fiber or any vitamins or minerals. Mostly just the bad stuff. They contain, for example, these substances that we definitely don’t want to consume:
- high sodium content,
- monosodium glutamate,
- propylene glycol,
- butylhydroquinone,
- trans fatty acids.
Sodium
Sodium is added to noodles to achieve better flavor. Another ingredient present is disodium guanylate, which also serves to enhance taste and aroma, and disodium inosinate – again a flavor enhancer. By combining these ingredients we ingest a mix of additives that increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and also kidney disease. One serving of instant noodles contains more than 800 mg of sodium – that is half the daily value.
Monosodium glutamate
A very well-known ingredient – at least by name. An adverse effect of monosodium glutamate is that it retains water in the body. This can cause swelling and serious bronchial asthma attacks. It also interferes with the absorption of important nutrients.
Propylene glycol and tert-butylhydroquinone
These substances are included to preserve the noodles’ structure. They are also widely used in the tobacco and antifreeze industries. In general, these substances are considered safe, but they accumulate in the liver, kidneys and heart.
Trans fatty acids
These substances increase the risk of atherosclerosis and cancer.
