In Japan’s ramen-obsessed heartland, a new study has sparked debate by suggesting that eating the popular noodle dish three or more times a week may carry serious health risks.
The joint research, conducted
by universities in Japan’s northeastern Yamagata prefecture—one of the country’s top ramen-consuming regions—found that people who frequently ate ramen faced about 1.5 times the risk of death compared to those who limited themselves to just once or twice a week. So, what explains this connection? Here’s what the study reveals.
Can Eating Ramen Too Often Be Deadly?
The study tracked 6,725 residents of Yamagata prefecture aged 40 and above for roughly four and a half years, dividing them into groups based on how often they ate ramen.
Participants ranged from those who ate it less than once a month to those consuming it three or more times per week. The results showed that frequent eaters, three times weekly or more, had about 1.52 times the risk of death compared to people who ate ramen once or twice a week.
The risks rose even higher for those who consumed more than half the broth. Men under 70 were especially vulnerable, and among participants who also drank alcohol regularly, the danger jumped sharply—their risk of death was nearly three times higher than moderate ramen eaters.
Curiously, the lowest death rates were found in the group that ate ramen once or twice a week. Researchers suggested that occasional indulgence might not only be safe but potentially less risky than avoiding ramen almost entirely.
The findings were published in The Journal of Nutrition, Health and Ageing in August.
Why Does Ramen Pose A risk?
The main culprit is sodium. Ramen broth is famously salty, and drinking most—or all—of it leads to extremely high salt intake. Excess sodium has long been linked to hypertension, stroke, and even stomach cancer.
“This study showed that Japanese community residents frequently consume ramen noodles and high intake is associated with various comorbidities,” scientists wrote.
Dr Miho Suzuki from Yonezawa University of Nutrition and Science, a member of the research team, advised: “To reduce sodium intake, one should refrain from drinking the broth and instead add vegetables to balance nutrition.”
Not Enough Proof Against Ramen Yet
The researchers stressed that the evidence is not strong enough to prove a direct cause-and-effect link between ramen consumption and higher mortality.
They noted that the results may have been influenced by other lifestyle factors. For example, people already managing conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes may have cut down on ramen after medical advice, potentially skewing the data.
The team further clarified that ramen itself isn’t inherently harmful. Instead, the broader lifestyle patterns common among heavy ramen eaters—such as irregular meals, lack of exercise, or high reliance on processed foods—may contribute to long-term health risks.
