CLAIM:

A viral YouTube Shorts video claims that 2-minute noodles are coated with synthetic wax and contain TBHQ, which allegedly sticks to the intestines and causes constipation and ulcers. It further claims that a glass of cola contains about 10 spoons of sugar and that phosphoric acid removes calcium from the teeth and bones through urine, making bones hollow. The video also alleges that potato chips are fried in “pamulene” (palm olein) oil, which causes blockages in the heart’s veins and obesity, while nitrogen gas is added to chip packets as part of this harmful process.

FACT:

The viral video mixes facts with misleading and unsupported claims. While instant noodles may contain approved antioxidants such as TBHQ, there is no evidence they are coated with synthetic wax or that TBHQ sticks to the intestines and causes constipation or ulcers. 

While soft drinks are high in sugar, scientific evidence does not support the claim that phosphoric acid directly removes calcium from bones or makes them “hollow.” 

Likewise, nitrogen gas used in chip packets is a safe food-grade gas used to preserve freshness, and current evidence does not support the claim that palm olein oil directly blocks the heart’s arteries or independently causes obesity. 

However, frequent consumption of ultra-processed foods such as instant noodles, sugary soft drinks and potato chips is associated with an increased risk of obesity and other chronic diseases. 

In a viral YouTube Shorts video posted by Fact Theory, a channel with 2.41 lakh subscribers, several alarming claims are made about commonly consumed foods and beverages, including instant noodles, soft drinks, and potato chips.

In the video, the creator claims that “2-minute noodles” are coated with synthetic wax to prevent the strands from sticking together and that a preservative called TBHQ is added so they can be stored for months. According to the video, “it sticks directly to the intestines and causes severe constipation and ulcers.”

The video also warns people who drink cola or soft drinks every day during summer, claiming that “about 10 spoons of white sugar are dissolved in one glass of cold drink.” It further alleges that the phosphoric acid present in these beverages “pulls all the natural calcium from your teeth and bones and takes it out through the urine,” causing bones to become hollow.

Turning to packaged potato chips, the creator claims that nitrogen gas is filled inside the packets to keep the chips crispy for a long time and that they are fried in “pamulene oil” (apparently referring to palm olein oil), which the video describes as “the worst of all.” It further alleges that this oil “directly forms a terrible blockage in the veins of the heart and creates obesity.”

Considering that the video has been widely circulated on social media, let’s examine whether these claims are backed by scientific evidence or are misleading.

Are 2-minute noodles coated with synthetic wax? 

The claim that instant noodles are coated with synthetic wax to prevent the strands from sticking together is not supported by scientific evidence.

The World Instant Noodles Association (WINA), which explains the standard manufacturing process and ingredients used in instant noodles, does not list wax as an ingredient. Instead, it notes that manufacturers use ingredients such as kansui (an alkaline solution), viscosity stabilisers, antioxidants, and food colours to improve the texture, flavour, appearance and shelf life of noodles.

According to WINA, “Vitamin E [is] used as an antioxidant to prevent oxidation of oil and fat contained in noodles. This can be produced in the refining process of soybean oil. This is not a preservative.” The association also explains that kansui is an essential ingredient that gives instant noodles their characteristic elasticity, texture and flavour. It contains food-grade compounds such as potassium carbonate, sodium carbonate, sodium hydrogen carbonate, and phosphates, all of which are approved food additives.

The video also claims that instant noodles contain the preservative TBHQ, which allegedly “sticks directly to the intestines and causes severe constipation and ulcers.”

TBHQ, or tert-butylhydroquinone, is a synthetic antioxidant, not a wax. It is commonly added to oils and fats used in processed foods to delay oxidation and prevent rancidity, thereby extending shelf life. It is used in products such as instant noodles, chips, processed snacks and frozen fried foods that contain fats or oils.

According to information on TBHQ reviewed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the additive is permitted only in limited amounts – typically up to 0.02% of the oil or fat content of food. The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) has also established an acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 0–0.7 mg per kilogram of body weight, and notes that average dietary exposure remains well below this limit.

Importantly, there is no evidence that TBHQ “sticks” to the intestines or directly causes constipation and ulcers, as claimed in the viral video.

That said, scientists continue to study the health effects of ultra-processed foods and certain food additives. A 2024 review published in Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology found that while diets high in ultra-processed foods have been associated with conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer and irritable bowel syndrome, much of the evidence on individual food additives comes from laboratory and animal studies rather than human clinical trials.

The authors wrote: “Evidence for the effect of food additives comes largely from preclinical studies conducted in vitro or in animal models. Fewer studies have investigated the effect of UPFs or food additives on gut health and disease in human intervention studies.” They concluded that more high-quality human research is needed before drawing causal conclusions about specific additives and gut health.

Consumer-facing information from MAGGI, one of India’s largest instant noodle brands, also states that its noodles are safe for consumption when eaten as part of a balanced diet. Addressing concerns about additives, the company notes: “MAGGI® Noodles are completely safe for consumption. We recommend you enjoy your favourite MAGGI® Noodles as a light meal, as part of a balanced diet and an active lifestyle.” It also clarifies that the ingredient Colour (150d) listed on its packaging is a permitted natural colour, in accordance with labelling regulations.

Overall, while some instant noodles may contain approved antioxidants such as TBHQ to protect fats from oxidation, there is no credible evidence that they are coated with synthetic wax or that TBHQ sticks to the intestines and causes constipation or ulcers. Current scientific evidence also does not support making direct causal claims about TBHQ and gut disease in humans.

Do soft drinks pull calcium out of your bones and teeth? 

The viral video claims that “about 10 spoons of white sugar are dissolved in one glass of cold drink” and that the phosphoric acid present in soft drinks pulls calcium from the teeth and bones and removes it through urine, eventually making bones hollow.

While many soft drinks are indeed high in sugar, the claim about phosphoric acid directly pulling calcium from bones is an oversimplification of the available scientific evidence.

A typical 330 ml can of Coca-Cola contains about 35 g of sugar, equivalent to 8-9 teaspoons, while a 500 ml bottle contains around 53 g, or roughly 13 teaspoons. Therefore, the video’s claim of “10 spoons of sugar” is an approximation and depends on the serving size.

The claim that phosphoric acid causes calcium loss, however, is not supported by current evidence.

A 2019 scientific opinion by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) re-evaluated the safety of phosphoric acid and phosphates (food additives E338-E341, E343 and E450-E452). After reviewing toxicological, clinical and epidemiological evidence, the panel concluded that “phosphates are of low acute oral toxicity and there is no concern with respect to genotoxicity and carcinogenicity.”

The panel also noted that phosphorus is an essential nutrient, absorbed by the body and primarily excreted through the kidneys. Importantly, it found that “the epidemiological studies reviewed did not find consistent associations between dietary phosphorus intake and cardiovascular-related outcomes and do not provide sufficient and reliable data to assess the role of phosphate on bone health.”

Based on the available evidence, EFSA established a group acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 40 mg of phosphorus per kilogram of body weight per day, concluding that this level is protective for the general healthy population.

That said, researchers continue to investigate whether excessive soft drink consumption, particularly cola beverages, may affect bone health through multiple dietary and lifestyle factors.

For instance, a 2024 review examining the impact of soft drinks on bone health reported that high consumption of sugar-sweetened and cola beverages has been associated with lower bone mineral density (BMD) in some studies. The authors suggested that phosphoric acid, caffeine and high sugar intake may collectively contribute to poorer bone health, particularly when consumed in excess. However, the paper primarily synthesised findings from previous studies and describes an association rather than proving that phosphoric acid directly removes calcium from bones.

A similar conclusion is reflected by Harvard Health Publishing, which notes that warnings about phosphoric acid interfering with calcium absorption have circulated for years but that “there’s no good evidence that a high phosphate intake affects bone metabolism or bone density.”

Harvard points out that while some observational studies have found an association between cola consumption and lower bone mineral density in women, the reason remains uncertain. Researchers have suggested that caffeine, or the tendency for soft drinks to replace calcium-rich beverages such as milk, may partly explain the findings rather than phosphoric acid itself.

Overall, while frequent consumption of sugar-sweetened soft drinks is associated with several health risks, including obesity and poor diet quality, current scientific evidence does not support the claim that phosphoric acid directly pulls calcium from the bones and teeth or makes bones hollow. The relationship between cola consumption and bone health appears to be more complex and is likely influenced by multiple dietary and lifestyle factors.

Are potato chips fried in palm olein oil that blocks the heart’s veins? 

The viral video claims that potato chips are fried in “pamulene” (apparently referring to palm olein) oil, which it describes as “the worst of all.” It further alleges that this oil “directly forms a terrible blockage in the veins of the heart and creates obesity.”

Current scientific evidence does not support this claim.

Palm olein, the liquid fraction of palm oil, is commonly used for commercial frying because of its stability at high temperatures. Like other edible oils, it contains both saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, and its health effects depend on overall dietary patterns, the amount consumed and what fats it replaces in the diet, rather than the oil alone.

A 2015 review published in the Journal of Public Health in Africa noted that the health effects of palm oil remain a subject of scientific debate. While concerns have been raised because palm oil contains palmitic acid, a saturated fatty acid, the authors wrote that “there are many scientific studies, both in animals and humans, that clearly show that palm oil consumption does not give rise to elevated serum cholesterol levels and that palm oil is not atherogenic.” They also highlighted that palm oil contains oleic acid, linoleic acid, and vitamins A and E, concluding that “palm oil consumed as a dietary fat as a part of a healthy balanced diet does not have incremental risk for cardiovascular disease.”

Three years later, a 2018 systematic review published in PLOS ONE assessed the available evidence linking palm oil consumption with coronary heart disease and stroke. While some individual studies suggested an association with myocardial infarction, the overall quality of evidence was graded as very low, with considerable risk of bias and inconsistent findings across studies.

The authors concluded that “the present review could not establish strong evidence for or against palm oil consumption relating to cardiovascular disease risk and cardiovascular disease-specific mortality.” They added that “a healthy overall diet should still be prioritised for good cardiometabolic health.”

The most recent assessment, a 2024 rapid overview by the World Health Organisation (WHO), reviewed five systematic reviews comparing palm oil with other vegetable oils. The WHO found that the included reviews were generally of low or critically low methodological quality, and that the reported effects on total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides were variable.

According to the report, palm oil intake “may be associated with effects on LDL-cholesterol… that are potentially clinically relevant” when compared with certain vegetable oils. However, the WHO did not conclude that palm oil directly blocks arteries or causes heart disease. Instead, it emphasised that “an individual’s risk of atherosclerotic disease is strongly determined by their cumulative lifelong LDL-cholesterol exposure,” while also noting that the current evidence comparing palm oil with other vegetable oils remains inconsistent and requires better-quality research.

Overall, although diets high in saturated fats may contribute to elevated LDL cholesterol over time, there is no credible scientific evidence that palm olein oil directly “blocks the heart’s veins,” as claimed in the viral video. The current body of evidence suggests that cardiovascular risk is determined by a person’s overall diet, lifestyle and long-term cholesterol exposure, rather than any single cooking oil.

Do experts agree?

According to Ms Edwina Raj, Head of Services – Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics, Aster CMI Hospital, Bengaluru, the claim that instant noodles are coated with synthetic wax and that TBHQ sticks to the intestines is misleading.

She explained that instant noodles are steamed and then dried either by frying or hot air, a process that removes moisture and prevents the noodles from sticking together. “There is no scientific evidence that manufacturers apply wax to instant noodles,” she said.

Addressing the claim about TBHQ, Raj noted that TBHQ (tert-butylhydroquinone) is an approved antioxidant, not a preservative or wax. It is used in small, permitted amounts to prevent fats and oils from becoming rancid and extend shelf life. “It does not stick to the intestines, nor is there evidence that it causes constipation or stomach ulcers when consumed within regulatory limits,” she said.

She added that constipation is more commonly linked to a low-fibre diet, inadequate water intake and lack of physical activity. However, she cautioned that instant noodles are generally high in sodium and low in fibre and protein, making them an ultra-processed food that should be eaten occasionally and balanced with vegetables and a good source of protein.

Commenting on the claims about soft drinks, Raj said they are “partly true but exaggerated.” She noted that a regular 330 ml can of cola typically contains around 35-39 grams of sugar, or about 8-10 teaspoons, depending on the brand, and that regularly consuming sugary beverages is associated with an increased risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes and tooth decay.

However, she clarified that “the claim that phosphoric acid directly removes calcium from bones and makes them ‘hollow’ is not supported by strong scientific evidence.” Instead, she explained that bone health depends on multiple factors, including adequate calcium and vitamin D intake, physical activity, hormonal health and an overall balanced diet.

Raj further pointed out that people who frequently replace milk and other nutritious beverages with sugary soft drinks may consume less calcium over time, which can indirectly affect bone health. She also noted that the acidity of soft drinks can contribute to tooth enamel erosion, particularly when consumed frequently, adding that soft drinks are best consumed occasionally rather than as a daily beverage.

Responding to the claims about packaged potato chips, Raj said the video “mixes facts with misinformation.” While nitrogen gas is indeed used in chip packets, she explained that it is a safe, food-grade gas used to prevent oxidation, keep chips fresh and crispy, and protect them from breaking during transport. “It is not harmful to consumers,” she said.

She also clarified that although many potato chips are fried in palm olein oil because of its stability at high temperatures, “palm olein oil is not the ‘worst’ oil, nor does it directly block the heart’s arteries.” According to Raj, heart disease develops due to multiple factors, including an unhealthy diet, smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, physical inactivity and genetics.

That said, she cautioned that potato chips are high in calories, salt and fat, and frequent consumption can contribute to weight gain and increase the risk of heart disease when eaten in excess. “They should be treated as an occasional snack rather than a daily food,” she concluded.

Also read: Can adding protein make instant noodles healthy? Experts debunk the viral claim