A study out of Japan may disappoint die-hard ramen fans. Researchers in Yamagata Prefecture, the region where ramen is consumed most frequently, found that eating the dish too often is associated with a higher risk of death.
The findings, recently published in the Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging, showed that people who ate ramen once or twice a week had the lowest risk of developing the condition. But those who indulged three or more times a week faced a 1.5 times higher likelihood of dying.
An elevated risk also appeared among people who ate ramen less than once a month. Researchers said that the group often included patients with chronic illnesses such as diabetes or high blood pressure who avoided instant noodles under a doctor’s orders.
The main health concerns tied to instant ramen are its high levels of salt, monosodium glutamate and saturated fat, which can contribute to obesity, hypertension, heart and kidney disease, gastritis, digestive issues and swelling.
Still, scientists said there’s no need to give up the comfort food entirely. Their advice: avoid drinking all the salty broth and stick to a balanced diet.
