The frequent intake of ramen noodles may increase the risk of mortality from cardiovascular diseases and cancer. This study examined the association between ramen noodle intake frequency and mortality in Japan.

This study included 6,725 participants aged ≥40 years from a questionnaire survey of the Yamagata cohort study. The average frequency of noodle intake was classified into four groups (<1/month, 1–3 times/month, 1–2 times/week, and ≥3 times/week). Cox proportional hazard analysis was performed to clarify the association between intake frequency and mortality.

The prevalence of ramen intake frequency was 18.9%, 46.7%, 27.0%, and 7.4% for <1/month, 1–3 times/month, 1–2 times/week, and ≥3 times/week, respectively. Participants with frequent ramen intake had higher body mass index values and a higher proportion of younger participants, men, smoking, alcohol consumption, diabetes, and hypertension. In multivariate Cox proportional analysis adjusted for various background factors, the “≥3 times/week” group showed a non-significantly increased risk for mortality (hazard ratio; 1.52, 95% confidence interval; 0.84–2.75), compared to the “1–2 times/week” group. In the subgroup analysis, the “≥3 times/week” group showed an increased risk of mortality in men, aged <70 years and those who consumed ≥50% of the noodle soup and alcohol.

This study showed that Japanese community residents frequently consume ramen noodles and high intake is associated with various comorbidities. Frequent intake of ramen noodles might be associated with mortality risk in men, aged <70 years and those who consumed ≥50% of the noodle soup and alcohol.