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A study published in the Journal of Nutrition, Health and Ageing warns that eating ramen more than once a week could increase the risk of premature death, especially in men under 70 who also consume alcohol.
The research, conducted in the Yamagata region (Japan) with more than 6,500 participants around 40 years old, revealed that those who ate ramen more frequently also tended to smoke, drink alcohol, and be overweight, in addition to suffering from comorbidities such as hypertension or diabetes.
After a 4.5-year follow-up, 145 deaths were recorded, mostly from cancer (100) and heart disease (29). Scientists concluded that men who consumed ramen three or more times a week and drank at least half the broth had up to a three times higher risk of death than those who did so less frequently.
The study indicates that the high salinity of the broth could be the main risk factor, as excess sodium is associated with hypertension, strokes, and gastric cancer.
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However, researchers warn that this is an observational study with limitations, as the data was based on self-reported diaries and aspects such as portion size, exercise, or previous medical conditions were not detailed. Despite this, they recommend moderating ramen consumption and avoiding drinking too much soup, especially in combination with alcohol.
