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Yes, you know that instant ramen isn't good for you, but studies have confirmed just how harmful the prepackaged food can really be. A study in the Journal of Nutrition links instant noodle consumption with heart risk, particularly in women. The researchers conducted a study in South Korea, where consumption of instant noodles is the highest in the world, with more than 10,700 people ranging in age from 19 to 64. The results? Women who consume instant noodles frequently were found to be more likely to have metabolic syndrome--the group risk factors, including obesity and high blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar, that increase the risk of heart disease and diabetes.
The harmful effects were predominantly found in women and not men. Part of the study reads,"Women--though no men--who ate instant noodles at least twice a week showed 68 percent higher risk of metabolic syndrome," which is a syndrome that can increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. The high sodium content in instant noodle products is obvious, but the main culprit is the noodles themselves. In another study by Dr. Braden Kuo, director of the gastrointestinal mobility laboratory at Massachusetts General Hospital at Harvard University, the doctor found unsettling results after testing digestion of the noodles. He used a tiny camera to study the breakdown of instant ramen noodles in the stomach and found out just how difficult it is for your body to digest the preservative-filled noodles. A preservative called TBHQ, which is found in many processed foods including Reese's and Chicken McNuggets, extends shelf life of fatty foods and makes them harder to digest. It's one of the many ingredients in Maruchan Chicken Ramen. If you are hopelessly devoted to instant ramen, and it's a budget-friendly staple in your life, all hope is not lost. Dr. Frank B. Hu, a professor of nutrition and epidemiology at Harvard, told The New York Times, "Once or twice a month is not a problem, but a few times a week really is." Moral of the story: eating college-friendly instant ramen is OK, but moderation is key. POPSUGAR Food
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Low carb, no carb, it's enough to make us go crazy. Carbohydrates have become the enemy of many "healthy" eaters in the recent years, but we say it's time to bring them back. And we're not the only ones. "We need carbohydrates!" exclaims personal trainer Kate Pearson, coach at Inside Out Fitness and Nutrition Coaching in Glasgow. "They are the main source of energy for our body. Complex carbohydrates are also often a great source of fiber, and a diet high in fiber helps prevent various diseases as well as keeping us feeling fuller for longer." "Low carbohydrate diets have become popular in recent years and, whilst it's true that many of us in the country could benefit from eating less carbohydrates, it's generally not recommended to cut any of these food groups out entirely." Much to our eternal disappointment, this isn't permission to eat pizza. Kate does admit that not all carbohydrates are created equal, and a diet high in simple carbs from refined, processed foods has been linked to obesity, diabetes, heart problems, stroke, and some cancers, to name a few. But if you're reaching for the right ones, think brown rice or bread, vitamin-rich sweet potatoes, or nutritious grains like quinoa and barley, carbs are an essential part of a balanced diet, and you body will thank you for eating them. So, how can you tell if you're not getting enough carbs?? You're always tired--We need carbs for energy, remove them and our body has to work harder to convert energy from fats and protein. You might wake up feeling sluggish and this won't improve throughout the day, nor will it improve with a good night's sleep. You're not losing weight--Low carb diets will probably help you drop some pounds long-term, but Kate warns that most of that weight is water. Your liver will then try to make up for the sudden loss of sugar by producing it itself, and when blood sugar levels rise, the pancreas secretes insulin, your fat-storing hormone, hence the plateau in the numbers on your scale. You keep getting headaches--Keep reaching for the Nurofen? It could be because eating too few carbs causes your blood sugar levels to drop and this can cause headaches-a nasty side effect to a super low-carb diet, although, if your headaches are ongoing and the pain doesn't lessen when you do pick up some pasta, you should consult with your doctor. You're concentration is suffering--Some small s;tudies have shown that low carbohydrate diets can affect you memory and make it harder to concentrate, Kate reports, so if you find your attention wandering at your desk, it might not just be that snoozeworthy report that's messing with your focus. You're struggling with your workouts--This is especially noticeable if you're training hard, doing cardio or high intensity work, Kate adds. When your body doesn't have enough carbs it can quickly use, you won't be able to train as hard and your fitness will suffer. Some elite athletes, particularly endurance athletes, will occasionally do low card diets to complement their training, but most of our workout schedules do no look like theirs. You're constantly cold--Chilly hands and feet can be a sign of a problem with your thyroid, which is another risk factor of cutting your carbs too sharply. This is only usually a serious issue if you've taken your low-carb diet to the extreme, but it's something people following plans like Atkins or Paleo sometimes complain of, so worth monitoring just in case. You're totally hangry--Finally science proves what we all already know. Hangry is a real, legit thing. Restricting your carb intake does make you angry and irritable, because carbohydrates are essential for the production of your happy hormone serotonin, so reintroducing complex carbs is one of the simplest things you can do to rebalance your mood. Your breath is bad--Bad breath is an unfortunate side effect of using fat as a primary fuel source. Want to test if yours is rank? Lick your wrist, wait five seconds, and then give it a sniff-that's what people are smelling when you speak. Upping your carb intake is one obvious way to freshen up, although you can also prevent bad breath by drinking more water. You're constipated--Know what carbs are a great source of? Fiber. And guess what you need fiber for? Pooping. Restricting your carbohydrate sources often means a reduction in the amount of fiver you're consuming and that sadly causes constipation. This can be prevented by eating a varied diet of vegetables, fruits and whole grains. |
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