Ramen intake and mortality risk

One of my favorite foods here in Japan is ramen. It's relatively cheap, it's everywhere, and especially as we roll into the colder months it's such a comfort food. I've definitely gone through phases where ramen showed up in my week more than I'd like to admit, but a new study has me rethinking how often I should indulge.

Researchers from Yamagata University tracked over 6,700 people for more than a decade, and found that eating ramen three or more times a week raised mortality risk by about 1.5 times compared to those who stuck to once or twice a week. They were careful to note that the results weren't "definitive," but the pattern is clear that too much ramen isn't doing anyone favors.

It's not just the noodles, either. The study pointed out that frequent ramen eaters also tend to drink more, smoke more, and polish off every last drop of that salty broth (I'm guilty of that sometimes too). Men under 70 were noted to be especially at risk.

What I liked about the study was the practical advice. One of the researchers said to enjoy ramen, but cut back on the soup and balance things out with veggies or other toppings. That feels pretty doable!

How often does ramen sneak into your meal rotation?