Study: Eating noodles may lead to cardiometabolic syndrome

MANILA, Philippines – Everyone who loves ‘instant’ consumes at least a bowl or two of noodles once a week. From students who have a tight budget to foodies who love ramen. Because of this, noodles are one of the most popular staple foods today. But a recent study shows that a bowl of these delicious curly strands could send you to an early grave.

Studies show that people who consume noodles two to three times a week is at risk of having cardiometabolic syndrome – a combination of maladaptive cardiovascular, renal, metabolic, prothrombotic, and inflammatory abnormalities, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information. These cardiovascular and metabolic derangements individually and interdependently lead to a substantial increase in cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality, making the cardiometabolic syndrome an established and strong risk factor for premature and severe CVD and stroke.

The recent study published in Journal of Nutrition and lead by Dr. Hyun Joon Shin claims that the damage to health caused by noodles is particularly worse in women. Because one of the highest countries to consume noodles is South Korea, the study focused on people from South Korea. Moreover, heart disease is not an unfamiliar disease to South Koreans. Dr. Shin then tried to find if there is a correlation between the poor health and consumption of noodles. It was found out that the effect of noodles is worse in women than men, probably caused by a substance Bisphenol A (BPA) in the styrofoam containers of these noodles that affect hormones.

Studies have shown that BPA interferes with the way hormones send messages through the body, specifically estrogen, said Dr. Shin.

According to Medical News Today, BPA is a chemical found in hard plastics and the coatings of food and drinks cans. It is an endocrine disruptor  that interferes with the production, secretion, transport, action, function and elimination of natural hormones. BPA can imitate our body's own hormones in a way that could be hazardous for health.

Possible health effects of BPA in human includes reproductive disorders, male impotence, heart disease, change in sex hormones in men, type 2 diabetes, and loss of connection between brain cells among others.

Meanwhile, Dr. Shin hopes that the study can lay a foundation for future research about the health effects of instant noodle consumption.