Maggi is one of the most popular noodle brand by Nestle that was first introduced in India in 1983. Since then, it has become a favorite food option among people.
These noodles are known for their quick and convenient preparation, making them a popular choice for a fast and easy meal.
However, is Maggi good for the health?
Short answer: Maggi is not good for health because it is made from maida, is low in nutrients, and contains high levels of sodium and saturated fat.
Read on to find out more about Maggi, including it’s nutritional value and ingredients.
Also read: The Truth About Oats Maggi: Is It Really Healthy?
What are the ingredients in Maggi?
Maggi comes in different variety such as 2-minute noodles, Special masala noodles, Veggie masala, Atta noodle etc.
So the exact ingredients can vary depending on the variety you choose.
However, in this post we will stick with 2-minute noodles variety as it is the most consumed and loved.
Maggi is made up of refined wheat flour(maida), palm oil and iodised salt as the main ingredients.
Other ingredients that you will find in Maggi includes:
Wheat gluten: It is a natural protein found in wheat.
Hydrolysed groundnut (peanut)protein: It adds a nutty flavor to the noodles and improve their taste profile.
Mixed spices: Maggi has a blend of various spices that enhance the flavor and aroma.
Sugar: Maggi also contain a small amount of sugar to balance the flavors and provide a little sweetness.
Edible starch: It is a type of carbohydrate used to improve the texture and thickness of the noodles.
Flavor enhancer(635): It is also known as Disodium Ribonucleotides, and is added to improve the taste and flavor experience of the noodles.
Mineral (Ferric pyrophosphate): It is a mineral added to Maggi to provide iron, an essential nutrient.
Humectant (451(i)): This ingredients help to retain moisture and prevent the noodles from becoming dry.
Thickeners (508 & 412): These are added to maintain the desired consistency of the noodles and improve their mouthfeel.
Acidity regulators (501(i) & 500(i) & 330): These are used to regulate the pH level of the noodles and ensure the stability of the product.
Also read: Is Maggi Pazzta Healthy? Everything You Need To Know
Nutrition value of Maggi
A 100g serving of Maggi provides:
- Calories: 427
- Protein: 8 g
- Carbohydrates: 63.5 g
- Sugar: 2.2 g
- Fiber: 3.6 g
- Fat: 15.7 g
- Sodium: 1172 mg
- Iron: 3.7mg
7 Reasons Maggi is not good for health
1. Low nutrients level
Maggi is low in essential nutrients such as protein and fiber.
A single serving(70g) of Maggi contains just 2.5 g of fiber and 5.6g of protein, which is low compared to what you would get from a proper meal.
Even other varieties of Maggi, such as Atta noodle, which is marketed as being made entirely of wheat, is not entirely made of atta.
The Maggi oats noodle is also not entirely made of oats and contains refined wheat flour.
And if you think eating Maggi chicken noodles will give you more protein and fiber, you’re wrong because. It contains similar protein to regular variety(2 minute noodles) and less fiber.
2. Made from refined flour (maida)
One of the primary reasons why Maggi is bad for your health is that it is made up of refined wheat flour (maida).
Refined wheat flour is a type of flour prepared from processing wheat through a milling and refining process.
This process removes the essential nutrients from wheat such as protein, fiber, iron resulting in low quality flour.
In fact some research has shown that people consuming maida-based foods more frequently are at increased risk of weight gain, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and elevated cholesterol.
3. High in sodium
Maggi has extremely high levels of sodium, which is not good for your health.
A single serving (70g) of Maggi contains 860mg of sodium.
That’s about 57% of the daily ideal limit(1500mg) set by the American Heart Association.
And what’s worst is that most people add extra salt from their side too.
While sodium is an essential part of a diet, consuming it in excess can lead to heart related health issues such as high blood pressure and stroke.
4. High in saturated fat
Maggi is high in saturated fat, which increases the risk of heart disease.
A single serving of Maggi contains 5.7g of saturated fat, which is approximately 44% of the daily limit (13g) recommended by the American Heart Association based on a 2000-calorie diet.
Although not all saturated fats are bad for you, mainly found in processed foods such as Maggi can be harmful to your health.
Consuming processed foods high in saturated fats increases your risk of heart disease, obesity and type 2 diabetes.
5. It is highly processed food
Maggi is highly processed food as it contains ingredients like maida, palm oil, and added sugar.
Processed foods are foods that have been modified from their natural state. This usually means that they’ve been stripped of some of their nutrients or that they’ve been enhanced with flavors, chemicals or preservatives.
Studies show that excess consumption of processed foods can contribute to obesity, diabetes, heart attacks, strokes, dementia, cancer, and mental illness.
6. Increase risk of diabetes
Maggi is made up of maida and has a high glycemic index(GI), increasing the likelihood of developing diabetes.
According to research, people who consume maida or maida-based products are at an increased risk of developing diabetes.
This is because maida has a high glycemic index of 85, which spike blood sugar levels rapidly after consumption.
Additionally, Maggi is low in fiber which helps regulate blood sugar levels.
Consuming foods high in glycemic indexes and low in fiber can cause weight gain and raise the risk of type 2 diabetes.
7. It contains harmful ingredients
Aside from maida, Maggi also contain thickeners, colors, humectants, acidity regulators, and flavor enhancers. These ingredients are added to enhance it’s appearance and texture.
While acidity regulators have some advantages in keeping your food safe on the shelf, they can also cause health problems such as vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea.
Also, thickeners are still under extensive research by nutrition scientists, Although some are harmful to gut health when used as food ingredients.
Is Maggi good for weight loss?
Maggi is not considered good for weight loss as it is made with maida, is high in calories and low in fiber.
A Single serving(70g) of Maggi contains 299 calories, which is significant.
Although Maggi only contains a small amount of sugar at 0.9g per serving, which may seem beneficial for weight loss, it is made of maida, which has a bad reputation for weight loss.
Maida slows down your body’s metabolic rate, which causes your body to stop burning the fats and instead start storing them, resulting in weight gain.
However, eating a small serving of Maggi is unlikely to break your weight loss efforts.
Remember that weight loss depends not only on one food but on your overall diet and lifestyle.
Does eating Maggi causes cancer?
While Maggi does contain some levels of glutamic acid(from natural ingredients), eating it does not cause cancer.
Maggi was banned in India in 2015 because it was found to contain high levels of lead and monosodium glutamate(MSG).
However, the company destroyed those pieces of Maggi and replaced them in the market with new pieces of Maggi.
Nestle’s official website currently states that Maggi no longer contains added MSG. Even tastemaker does not contain MSG.
Is Maggi gluten-free?
Maggi is not gluten-free as it is made up of refined wheat flour and also contain wheat gluten as one of the ingredients.
Is Maggi vegan?
Maggi is not vegan as it may contain the traces of milk(as stated on the packet).
However, it is suitable for vegetarians.
Final words
While Maggi may be a convenient and tasty meal option, it is not good for your health.
It contain highly processed ingredients, is made of maida, and is high in saturated fat and sodium.
Even after knowing these reasons, if you can’t give up your Maggi addiction, eat it occasionally or go for Aatta or oats noodles.
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FAQs
A single 70g serving of Maggi contains 299 calories.
Maggi is not good for pregnant women because it is highly processed, contains maida, and has higher levels of saturated fat and sodium.
Despite being marketed as made of 100% atta, Atta Maggi only contains 85% atta when examining its ingredients. Additionally, its levels of protein and fiber are not good.While it may be a healthier option than regular Maggi, it cannot be considered a healthy food.
Yes, Maggi masala contains onion in dehydrated form and garlic in dried form.
Maggi is not a good option during pregnancy because it is made from maida and has high sodium levels, which can cause constipation, gas, and other digestive issues.
Maggi is not a healthy food to consume during fever because it is highly processed and contains maida, which is difficult to digest and may cause gastrointestinal problems.
