The Dangers of Consuming Instant Noodles Every Day : Why We Should Reduce It ?

 

"The delicious taste of instant noodles may hide health risks"

Cantika wulan - unissula

Have you ever counted how many times you eat instant noodles in a week? Just imagine within minutes, a delicious plate of instant noodles is ready in front of you. The enticing aroma makes it hard to resist. But did you know that behind its delicious taste, instant noodles hide some serious health risks? The high sodium content in instant noodles can pose a serious threat to your health if consumed daily. Do you think this momentary pleasure is worth the health risks? Let’s take a closer look and discover why it’s important to start cutting down on instant noodle consumption for a healthier body.

First, let's look at the sodium in instant noodles. Dr. Tirta, a health expert, reveals that "Yang harus kalian cek adalah natrium. Garam, natriumnya itu 1 gram, nyaris 80 persen dari kebutuhan gizi kita harian. Karena natrium itu rata-rata hanya dibutuhkan 1,5 gram per hari. Jadi dengan kamu makan mi dengan bumbu yang asin-asin gurih itu, kamu sudah memenuhi kebutuhan 80 persen per hari" (dikutip pada kamis, 20 juni 2024). This means that with a packet of instant noodles, you're almost meeting your daily sodium intake, and that can be bad for your blood pressure and heart health.

"Limit instant noodles to maintain heart and kidney health"

Although we know that instant noodles are made from wheat, which is good for energy, the problem lies in the excessive salt content in the seasoning. Dr. Tirta added, "Sebenarnya makan mi instan sering tiap hari enggak bermasalah. Yang bermasalah adalah kalau makan bumbunya banyak." This highlights that the salt in the seasoning can be harmful if consumed excessively. Excessive sodium intake can increase the risk of kidney disease and even stroke.

Some people might argue that eating instant noodles every day isn’t a big deal as long as it’s consumed in moderation. They believe that the negative effects won’t be felt immediately. However, real health cases suggest otherwise. For example, according to a report from radarsurabaya.jawapos.com, a 13-year-old girl from Madiun, referred to as MC, was diagnosed with stage 5 chronic kidney failure. Since the age of 10, MC had been accustomed to eating instant noodles daily, sometimes even twice a day, without consuming other foods. Now, she must undergo dialysis twice a week. Her mother admitted that her daughter’s diet, relying solely on instant noodles along with ice water and snacks, was the main factor behind her deteriorating health.

This case illustrates the real impact of excessive instant noodle consumption, primarily due to its high sodium content. As Dr. Tirta noted, "Natrium dalam mie instan bisa memenuhi hingga 80% dari kebutuhan harian kita, bahkan lebih jika kita makan dalam porsi ganda." This proves that excessive instant noodle consumption isn’t just a theory; it’s a reality that can seriously affect health.

Considering the risks associated with daily instant noodle consumption, it’s crucial for us to start limiting our intake. This doesn’t mean we have to stop eating them entirely, but it would be wise to reduce the frequency and opt for healthier, more nutritious foods. By cutting back on instant noodles, we can protect heart health, maintain blood pressure, and help prevent other chronic diseases.