Frequent ramen intake linked to higher risk of premature death, Japanese study finds

A Japanese study published in the Journal of Nutrition, Health and Ageing found that eating ramen three or more times per week was associated with an increased risk of premature death among adults followed for about 4.5 years. The study tracked 6,746 participants aged 40 at baseline — 2,361 men and 4,385 women — and categorized them by weekly ramen consumption: less than once a month; one to three times a month; once or twice a week; and three or more times a week. Over the follow-up period, 145 deaths occurred, including 100 from cancer and 29 from heart disease.

Those who ate ramen frequently tended to be younger men who smoked, drank alcohol and were overweight, with nearly one in three participants reporting ramen consumption of at least weekly. The researchers found that those who ate ramen at least three times weekly showed higher mortality risk, particularly among men under 70.

Because the study is observational, it cannot prove that ramen itself causes death. Still, researchers noted that ramen and its broth tend to be high in salt, and high sodium intake is linked to higher blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Public health groups emphasize that excessive salt intake is a common concern with high-sodium dishes such as ramen. The Heart Foundation notes that high salt intake raises blood pressure.

Those who consumed at least half of the dish regularly tended to have higher death risk, and people who both drank alcohol and ate ramen more than three times per week had a significantly higher risk than moderate ramen eaters.

Across the world, figures on ramen consumption vary, but in Australia there are no exact figures available. Nevertheless, instant noodle sales rose to about 450 million servings in 2022, up from around 400 million in 2018, as households faced higher living costs and relied more on inexpensive, quick meals.

Limitations of the study include its observational design and potential confounding factors such as lifestyle, socioeconomic status and other dietary habits. Deaths were tracked through official records during the follow-up period. Researchers cautioned that the results do not prove a causal link between ramen and mortality.

Bottom line: The findings add to evidence that high-sodium foods can contribute to health risks when consumed frequently, especially for men under 70. Individuals should consider overall diet quality and limit sodium intake as part of a balanced eating pattern.