13-Year-Old Dies After Eating Raw Instant Noodles: Health Experts Warn of Hidden Dangers
13-Year-Old Dies After Eating Raw Instant Noodles: Health Experts Warn of Hidden Dangers
Doctors warn against rising trend of eating raw ramen due to health risks
A 13-year-old boy in Egypt has died after consuming three packs of uncooked instant noodles, highlighting the dangers of a viral trend that encourages eating ramen straight from the packet.
According to Cairo-based reports, the teenager developed severe stomach pain, sweating, and vomiting within an hour of eating the noodles. He was rushed for treatment but later succumbed to complications.
Initially, authorities suspected that the noodles were poisoned or expired, and the shopkeeper who sold them was questioned. However, laboratory tests and an autopsy confirmed that the products were uncontaminated. Doctors later attributed the boy’s death to acute intestinal obstruction, caused by the large quantity of raw noodles ingested.
Medical experts warn that instant noodles, when consumed raw, are difficult to digest and can cause dehydration, blockages, or infections in the digestive tract. Despite these dangers, the practice of eating raw noodles has gained popularity online, with millions of views on “Eat Ramen Raw” challenge videos circulating on social media platforms.
The tragedy has sparked debate in Egypt over the safety of processed foods, particularly snacks popular among children and teenagers. Nutritionists note that instant noodles have long been linked to health issues such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. A study from Seoul, South Korea, found that frequent noodle consumption was associated with increased cardiometabolic risks, including high blood pressure and elevated glucose levels.
Authorities and health experts are urging parents to monitor viral food trends and discourage children from consuming instant noodles in unsafe ways.
