How Consumption of Instant Noodles May Cause Cancer & Other Health Risks in the Long-Term?
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In this article:
Overview
Instant noodles are a type of food consisting of noodles (strings of pasta or dough) sold in a precooked and dried block with flavoring powder and/or seasoning oil.
The dried noodle block was originally created by flash-frying cooked noodles, and this is still the main method used in many countries where instant noodles are produced.
Noodles are also air-dried into block form or in different shapes.
Dried noodle blocks are designed to be cooked or soaked in boiling water before eating. Instant noodles have different brand names in different countries.
They are known as indomie, Tummy-Tummy, Chikki, Mimee, Sedaap Supreme, Superghetti, Golden penny, in Nigeria, known as Maggi in India, known as Ramen in Japan, China, known as Ramen, Kimchi. Etc
Instant noodles are made with different ingredients and flavors that attracted public concern as to whether they pose any health risks in long-term consumption.
This had raised alarm in many countries including India, America, Malaysia, and Nigeria, among others.
This resulted in banning such instant noodles in some countries however the production of instant noodles continues due to the need they are solving in providing fast food for people.
Since your health remains the most important thing to consider first and is determined by what you eat it’s your responsibility to find out what’s healthy for you.
Now let’s find out how consuming instant noodles may put you at increased risk of developing Cancer and other health problem in the long run.
History/Origin
The invention of instant noodles originated in Japan or Taiwan in 1958 by Momofuku Ando of Nissin Foods.
Now their production has penetrated different countries in the world generating millions of revenues. 1971, Nissin introduced Cup Noodles, the first cup noodle product.
What do Instant noodles make of?
The main ingredients in instant noodles are flour, starch, water, salt, and/or kansui a type of alkaline mineral water containing sodium carbonate usually potassium carbonate), and sometimes a small amount of phosphoric acid.
Common ingredients in the flavoring powder are salt, monosodium glutamate, seasoning, and sugar.
The flavoring is usually in a separate packet, although in the case of cup noodles, it is often loose in the cup.
Some instant noodle products are seal-packed; these can be reheated or eaten straight from the packet or container.
There are three key ingredients in wheat-based noodles: wheat flour, water, and salt. Other than the three main ingredients,
USDA regulations allow instant noodles to contain palm oil, seasoning, sodium phosphates, potato starches, gums, and other ingredients.
Polyphosphate is used in instant noodles as an additive to improve starch gelatinization during cooking (rehydration).
Hydrocolloids such as guar gum are widely used in instant noodle production to enhance water-binding capacity during rehydration and to shorten cooking time.
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a flavour enhancer that improves the savory experience of foods and is the prototypical chemical associated with the ‘umami’ taste (yummy taste).
Recently ethylene oxide was detected in Indomie’s “special chicken” flavor noodles in Malaysia and Taiwan as announced by health authorities in both countries. Ethylene oxide was found to be carcinogenic
Nigeria is one of the largest indomie noodles consumers have raised alarm over this through NAFDAC, however, some of the noodles consumed in Nigeria are manufactured locally according to director-general (NAFDAC) Professor Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye
Ethylene oxide health Alarm
Do Instant noodles in Nigeria contain Ethylene oxide?
A Press Release by the DIRECTOR-GENERAL of NAFDAC (Professor Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye).
The Management of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is aware of the recalls of Indomie Instant Noodles ‘Special Chicken Flavour’ by the Ministries of Health in Malaysia and Taiwan on account of the alleged presence of ethylene oxide, a compound associated with an increased risk of cancer.
NAFDAC, as a responsible and responsive regulator, is taking swift actions to carry out random sampling and analysis of Indomie noodles (including the seasoning) for the presence of ethylene oxide, as well as extending the investigation to other brands of instant noodles offered for sale to Nigerians.
We use this medium to assure the public that a thorough investigation of the products will be conducted both at the factory and market levels and our findings will be communicated.
The public is also hereby informed that the implicated Indomie Instant Noodles ‘Special Chicken Flavour’ is not registered by NAFDAC for sale in Nigeria.
It is important to mention that noodles are on the Import Prohibition List of the Federal Government of Nigeria and are therefore not permitted for importation to Nigeria.
Further, the Indomie instant noodles products (and other brands of noodles) registered by NAFDAC for sale in the Nigerian market are manufactured in Nigeria and are only granted NAFDAC registration status following a strict regulatory regime covering all aspects of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP).
The Ports Inspection Directorate (PID) is also on heightened alert to guard against the importation of the implicated product into Nigeria.
Tip
Flash-fried food is submerged for about one to five minutes in oil so hot that the outside of the food is immediately seared, keeping the oil from penetrating further. And because the extremely hot oil first sears the food, it not only keeps the oil out but also holds the flavor in.
Instant Noodles vs Cancer vs Other Health Risk
Can the consumption of instant Noodles cause Cancer and other health problem in the long run?
Here’s why people had been concerned that long-term consumption of instant noodles may increase your risk of developing Cancer and other health problems:
Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) is one of the most widely used food additives in commercial foods.
Its application has increased over time, and it is found in many different ingredients and processed foods including seasoning cubes, powder, and liquid obtainable in every market or grocery store.
MSG gives a special aroma to processed foods which is known as umami in Japanese. This taste sensation is also called “savory”.
In many countries, MSG goes by the name “China salt”. Besides its flavour-enhancing effects, MSG has been associated with various forms of toxicity.
MSG has been linked with obesity, metabolic disorders, Chinese Restaurant Syndrome, neurotoxic effects, and detrimental effects on the reproductive organs
Different studies have hinted at possible toxic effects related to this popular food additive.
These toxic effects include Central Nervous System (CNS) disorder, obesity, disruptions in adipose tissue physiology, hepatic damage, Cytokine release syndrome (CRS), and reproductive malfunctions.
These threats might have hitherto been underestimated. In the meantime, people keep using ever larger amounts of MSG unaware of the possible consequences.
The results obtained from one 2011 research following the administration of 0.04g/kg and 0.08g/kg per day of MSG to adult Wistar rats affected the histology of the liver and affect liver function.
Thus, the ingestion of this substance by humans should be reviewed. It is recommended that further studies be carried out to corroborate these findings according to the scientists.
MSG has also been associated with male reproductive dysfunction by triggering a hemorrhage in the testis as well as deterioration of sperm cell structure and production.
One animal study examined whether intake of green tea can reduce the toxicity of MSG ovaries and found that MSG-treated rats showed degenerative changes of the ovary with many atretic follicles.
The stroma appeared vacuolated. The medulla showed multiple vacuoles with congested blood vessels.
However, combined treatment of GTE and MSG in group III showed amelioration of the histological changes in the ovary.
They then concluded that green tea (GTE) improves the histological changes caused by MSG in the ovary.
Another research found that Monosodium glutamate caused reproductive toxicity in male mice by damaging GnRH neurons, and this reproductive toxicity cannot be relieved spontaneously over time.
These findings are supported by observed histological changes.
Monosodium L-glutamate had been found to be one of the causes of Chinese restaurant syndrome by many studies and can precipitate headaches.
In appropriate doses, it causes burning sensations, facial pressure, and chest pain.
Is Ethylene oxide a Cancer-causing substance?
Ethylene oxide (ETO)
At room temperature, ethylene oxide is a flammable colorless gas with a sweet odor. It is used primarily to produce other chemicals, including antifreeze.
In smaller amounts, ethylene oxide is used as a pesticide and a sterilizing agent.
The ability of ethylene oxide to damage DNA makes it an effective sterilizing agent but also accounts for its cancer-causing activity.
Many studies have found Ethylene oxide (EtO), as a known human carcinogen with strong evidence linking exposures to EtO to the development of lymphoma and breast cancer.
Lymphoma and leukemia are the cancers most frequently reported to be associated with occupational exposure to ethylene oxide. Stomach and breast cancers may also be associated with ethylene oxide exposure according to National Cancer Institute.
Related: Is Maggi Cubes bad for your health? Risk &Side Effects
Related: Is Maggi Instant Noodles Bad for You? Health Risk and Side Effects
Conclusion
There are no doubts that the production and sales of instant noodles have contributed to economic growth and employment opportunities as well as business opportunities to so many people in the world ever since its invention,
However, enough evidence from numerous scientific research and reviews has proved that some of the ingredients used in producing instant noodles may pose a significant health risk in long-term consumption.
This made some countries including Nigeria ban the importation of instant noodles. Unfortunately, the banning law normally passed by the regulation agency may not totally stop the movement of goods into a certain country.
Consequently, the consumption of instant noodles and its associations with cancer and other health risk remains a big concern and controversial matter in many countries where instant are consumed.
Another big concern may be that some ingredients used in instant noodles are also used in making most of the seasoning cubes, powder, and liquid we use in our day-to-day diet. Example monosodium glutamate.
If you’re concerned, you can make a lifestyle shift by choosing whole foods, vegetables, and fruits in selecting your choice of diet and cooking them with fresh and natural spices in your kitchen thereby limiting your intake of processed foods and fast food.
Introduce your children to eating whole foods as alternatives to processed foods and fast foods. This will help them reduce the intake of toxic chemicals via processed foods as they grow up.
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