In a heartbreaking incident from Cairo, Egypt, a 13-year-old boy died after eating three packets of uncooked instant noodles, as per reports. The teenager felt unwell just half an hour after eating the dry noodles, according to local media. He soon developed severe abdominal pain, excessive sweating, and vomiting, and shortly after he he passed away.Authorities initially questioned the shopkeeper who sold him the noodle packets, raising concerns about whether the product was expired or met safety standards. But, after thorough testing and an autopsy, it was later confirmed that the noodles were not contaminated. Instead, the main cause of the teenager’s sudden and tragic death was due to acute intestinal problems. More precisely, it was attributed to digestive obstruction— which was likely triggered by the large quantity of raw noodles the teenager had eaten at once.The case has since then stirred widespread debate in Egypt, with many calling for stricter protocols on processed foods and the additives they contain. Instant noodles, crisps, and sugary snacks have long been under scrutiny, with multiple studies linking them to health conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. A study titled ‘Instant noodle consumption is associated with cardiometabolic risk factors among college students in Seoul’ found that frequent consumption of instant noodles is associated with increased cardiometabolic risk factors like high triglycerides, blood pressure, and fasting glucose in young adults.The “Eat Ramen Raw” challenge and health effects of eating instant noodlesThis particular incident also highlights the perils of social media trend. Eating raw instant noodles has been popularised as part of the “Eat Ramen Raw” challenge on platforms like TikTok, where videos have gained millions of views. Experts fear that consuming raw noodles can cause intestinal blockages and dehydration, which in rare but extreme cases, may even cause death.But health warnings don’t stop at uncooked noodles. Even when prepared as intended, instant noodles are not considered a healthy meal choice. A typical pack can contain up to 1330 mg of sodium— which is alarmingly high compared to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) daily recommended limit of 2000 mg. Excess sodium, when consumed regularly, is known to put strain on the heart and kidneys.A study titled ‘The association between noodle consumption and metabolic syndrome in Korean adults’ also highlighted that eating instant noodles more than twice a week increases the risk of metabolic syndrome— which are a group of health conditions that raise the likelihood of diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic illnesses.According to Daily Mail, nutrition experts such as Professor Lauren Ball (University of Queensland) and Dr. Emily Burch (Southern Cross University) emphasise that the lack of dietary fibre in instant noodles is another serious drawback that causes health issues. Since they are made from refined wheat rather than whole grains, they do little to support healthy digestion or gut health.This tragic case of the death of a teenager by eating uncooked instant noodles reminds one that while instant noodles may be convenient and popular, especially among children and teenagers, moderation is key when it comes to good health. Parents and young people alike are urged to be cautious of viral food trends and to prioritise a balanced diet for long-term health.