We've all had that thing happen when, if our bank accounts are looking a little lean around dinnertime, we turn to a bowl of cheap-yet-filling instant ramen. But now a new study shows that eating the processed noodles may not be good for our hearts or waistlines—especially if you're a woman.
The study took place in South Korea, where the consumption of noodles is apparently higher than anywhere else in the world, over the course of two years. Researchers discovered that the 10,711 participants essentially had two main patterns of eating: a "traditional diet" (fish, rice, veggies) and "meat and fast-food" (processed foods and meat).
Neither of the diets was linked with increased risk for metabolic syndrome—abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and blood sugar—unless the participant was a woman who ate instant noodles at least twice a week. Regardless of what other kinds of foods the ramen eaters had in their diets, they were 68 percent more likely to have the symptoms of metabolic syndrome.
Why just in women though—and why instant noodles? Time reports that it could have something to do with the noodles' packaging, which can contain the chemical BPA, a possible endocrine disruptor that is believed to possibly affect women's estrogen levels.. Also, women's bodies are also more sensitive to effects of carbohydrates, sodium, and saturated fats, particularly when they're postmenopausal.
That doesn't mean instant noodles need to be totally off-menu, says senior study author Dr. Frank B. Hu: "Instant noodles should not be included as part of a healthy diet because it is typically highly processed and contain a large amount of calories, saturated fat, sodium, and glycemic load.... It's better to avoid the consumption of instant noodles, although occasional consumption (e.g., once or twice per month) should not be a problem."
UPDATE: Currently, the FDA has not recommended discontinued use of BPA-containing materials (its current perspective is that BPA is safe at the usual levels that ocur in foods). What do you think? Do you avoid them—or would you after reading a study like this?