Doctors warn of serious health risks from some spicy ramen… while a woman is sent to the emergency room with kidney stones

Doctors have warned that fans of a popular type of super spicy ramen could be at risk of a kidney problem that could cause blood poisoning.

The packets of thick noodles, which contain a sachet of spicy powder and are cooked with hot water, are packed with as much as half of a person’s recommended daily serving of salt in one meal, urologist Dr. David Shusterman warned.

This high salt content in the product, called Buldak ramen, increases the risk of crystals forming in the kidneys, which can then develop into stones that damage the organs and cause infections.

If left untreated, kidney infections can spread to the bloodstream, known as blood poisoning.

She had eaten Buldak noodles (photo above)

The warning comes after content creator Lucy Mourad, 24, from Washington state, revealed in a recent TikTok clip that she suffered the complication after eating buldak ramen every week for six months.

She blamed the stones, which led to an emergency room visit and excruciating cramps, on the noodles, saying, “Buldak ramen… it contributes immensely.”

She added that she had been eating “more and more” of this ramen over the past few months, so suspected the ramen was to blame.

Her symptoms started as aching back pain that spread to the front of the body as the stones formed in her bladder.

She also described noticing blood and small floating objects in her urine.

Dr. Shusterman, based in New York City, warned that the complication could be related to the ramen saying: ‘It’s possible because processed and canned goods are loaded with tons of salt.

“This means that eating processed foods such as instant noodles, soups, frozen meals, etc. can lead to the formation of kidney stones.”

Research shows there is also a risk that some spices – such as turmeric – can cause kidney stones by significantly increasing the levels of a chemical called oxalate in the urine, increasing the risk of crystal formation.

Buldak noodles are becoming increasingly popular globally and in the US, with South Korea-based manufacturer Samyang Foods saying sales reached a record five billion products in mid-June last year.

The ready-made noodles are available in different flavors, including the popular ‘Rakisoba Hot Chicken’ and the ‘Carbonara Hot Chicken’.

But the products also contain as much as 1,280 milligrams (mg) of salt per serving.

For comparison, a packet of Lays salt and vinegar chips contains 590 mg per packet, while a standard ready meal is estimated to contain around 580 mg.

The USDA recommends that people consume no more than 2,300 mg of salt per day – the equivalent of one teaspoon.

Manufacturers likely add high levels of salt to enhance the flavor of their products.

Fellow TikTok users commented on Ms Mourad’s video detailing the health problems they have encountered after eating Buldak noodles.

One user named Saadiqah commented, “Finally someone is posting the effects. I ended up in the hospital too! And now also have acid reflux and IBS. On a very restrictive diet.’

Another called Jas added: ‘It literally happened to me that I had terrible gastritis (stomach upset) for two weeks, I couldn’t eat.’

About 11 percent of men and six percent of women in the US will suffer from kidney stones at least once in their lives.

The crystals can be removed through surgery, or through a procedure that breaks up the stones using an instrument placed in the tube through which urine leaves the body.

Other factors that can cause kidney stones include dehydration, which can cause the urine to become more concentrated, leading to crystals.