INSTANT NOODLES CARRY HEALTH RISKS FOR WOMEN

WASHINGTON: Women who eat instant noodles, like Ramen, at least two times a week face a bigger hazard of high blood pressure, raised blood sugar and high cholesterol, US researchers.

This study was done in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and data collected from 10,711 adults in which half of them were women.

Researchers found that there was a 68 percent higher risk of metabolic syndrome among women, but not men, who ate instant noodles more than twice per week.

Metabolic Syndrome:

Metabolic syndrome is a group of conditions that heighten the risk of cardiac diseases and diabetes.

It increases the risk for coronary artery disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.

Causes:

Major causes for metabolic syndrome are:

•  Extra weight around the middle and upper parts of the body. This type of body is called Apple-Shaped.
•  The body uses insulin less efficiently than normal. Insulin is needed to make a contribution to control the amount of sugar in the body. As a result, blood sugar and fat levels rise.

Other Factors:

• Hormonal changes
• Aging
• Lack of Exercise
• Genes

  People having this syndrome often have other problems that can worsen the situation are:

• They have increased level of blood substances.
• They have blood clotting.

"The consumption of instant noodles was associated with increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome in adult females, independent of major dietary patterns," said the study.

It didn't matter if women consumed a diet chiefly of rice, fish and veggies, or a diet heavier in meat and fried foods, if they ate instant noodles twice weekly, they were at higher danger of wellness troubles.

Now the question is "how much is too much when it comes to instant noodles"? 

"Once or twice a month is not a problem," Hu was quoted as telling The New York Times.