Why you should be careful when consuming ramen noodles

Ramen noodles, the beloved instant meal that has fuelled countless college students and busy professionals, may be doing more harm than good.

American plastic surgeon and content creator Anthony Youn warns that these convenient packets of dried noodles and flavour sachets harbour a hidden danger. “Eating foods with a ton of sodium like ramen noodles can give you kidney stones,” he says.

 

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Dr Srikanth V, senior consultant urologist at Urocare Urology Superspeciality Clinic, BTM, Bengaluru agrees that even though ramen noodles are a go-to comfort food for many, they might come with hidden risks, especially concerning kidney stones. 

Ingredients in ramen noodles contributing to kidney stones

Sodium: Ramen noodles are notorious for their high sodium content. According to research from the American Journal of Kidney Diseases, excessive sodium intake increases calcium levels in the urine, a major factor in the development of kidney stones.

Oxalates: Some flavour packets contain oxalates, which bind with calcium to form stones.

Preservatives: Additives like monosodium glutamate (MSG) can exacerbate the sodium content and contribute to metabolic imbalances, increasing the risk of kidney stones.

High sodium content and kidney health

Agreeing with what Dr Youn, Dr Srikanth says that the high sodium levels in ramen can have serious implications for kidney health. “Elevated sodium causes the body to excrete more calcium in the urine, which can lead to kidney stone formation.” 

Additionally, high sodium intake is linked to hypertension or high blood pressure, which can put a strain on the kidneys, making them more susceptible to stones. “Reducing sodium intake is crucial for preventing kidney stones,” he asserts. 

Opt for ramen with reduced or low sodium content to avoid the formation of kidney stones (Source: Freepik)

Types of ramen that are less likely to contribute to kidney stones

Dr Srikanth reveals that there are other types of ramen in the market that one can opt for instead. Here are some options, according to him, that might pose a lower risk:

Low-Sodium Ramen: Opt for ramen with reduced or low sodium content. Always check the nutritional information on the packaging before making any purchases.

Whole Grain or Brown Rice Ramen: These alternatives have different nutrient profiles that are less likely to contribute to kidney stones compared to the widely-sold instant noodles.

Dietary modifications to reduce kidney stone risk

If you love ramen but want to minimise your risk of kidney stones, Dr Srikant suggests you consider these dietary adjustments alongside choosing better alternatives:

Hydration: Drink plenty of water to dilute the substances in your urine that form stones. 

Balanced Diet: Incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your diet to balance out the high sodium content. Foods high in citrate, such as lemons and oranges, can help prevent stones.

Calcium-Rich Foods: Adequate dietary calcium can actually help prevent kidney stones by binding with oxalates in the intestine. 

Limit High-Oxalate Foods: Reducing intake of high-oxalate foods like nuts, spinach, and beets can help prevent stone formation, especially when consuming high-sodium foods like ramen.

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