Doctors have warned that fans of a popular type of super-spicy ramen could be at risk of a kidney problem that can trigger blood poisoning.
The packets of thick noodles, which contain a sachet of spicy powder and are cooked using hot water, are packed with as much as half someone's recommended daily serving of salt in a single meal, warned urologist Dr David Shusterman.
This high salt content in the product, called Buldak ramen, raises the risk of crystals forming in the kidneys, which can then develop into stones that damage the organs and trigger infections.
If untreated, kidney infections can spread to the bloodstream, known as septicemia.
The warning comes after content creator Lucy Mourad revealed she had suffered the complication after eating 'buldak ramen' noodles every week for six months.
She had been eating Buldak noodles (pictured above)
The warning comes after content creator Lucy Mourad, 24, from Washington state, revealed in a recent TikTok clip that shesuffered the complication after eating buldak ramen every week for six months.
She blamed the stones, which led to an ER visit and caused excruciating cramps, in on the noodles saying: 'Buldak ramen... it's a huge contributing factor.'
She added that she'd been 'eating more and more' of this ramen 'over the past few months' so suspected the ramen was to blame.
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Her symptoms began as agonizing back pain which transferred to the front of the body, as the stones formed in her bladder.
She also described noticing blood and tiny floating objects in her urine.
Dr Shusterman, based in New York City, warned the complication could be linked to the ramen saying: 'It's possible since processed and canned goods are loaded with tons of salt.
'This means... eating processed foods like instant noodles, soups, frozen meals, etc, could lead to kidney stones forming.'
Research suggests there is also a risk that some spices — such as turmeric — can cause kidney stones by significantly increasing levels of a chemical called oxalate in urine which raises the risk of crystals forming.
Buldak noodles are surging in popularity globally and in the US, with their South Korea-based manufacturer Samyang Foods saying sales hit a record five billion products in mid-June last year.
The ready-to-eat noodles are available in a variety of flavors including the popular 'Rakisoba Hot Chicken' and the 'Carbonara Hot Chicken'.
But the products also contain a whopping amount of salt at 1,280 milligrams (mg) per serving.
For comparison, a pack of Lays salt and vinegar crisps contains 590mg per packet while a standard ready meal is estimated to contain around 580mg.
The USDA recommends people consume no more than 2,300mg of salt per day — the equivalent of one teaspoon.
Manufacturers likely add he high levels of salt to boost the flavor of their products.
Fellow TikTok users responded to MsMourad's clip detailing the health problems they've encountered after eating Buldak noodles.
One user, named Saadiqah, commented: 'Finally someone is posting the effects. I ended up in the hospital too! And also have Acid reflux and IBS now. On a very limiting diet.'
Another, named Jas, added: 'Literally happened to me I had awful gastritis [stomach upset] for two weeks, I couldn't eat.'
Some 11 percent of men and six percent of women in the US suffer from kidney stones at least once during their lifetime.
The crystals can be removed via surgery, or via a procedure to break up the stones using an instrument inserted into the tube through which urine exits the body.
Other factors that can cause kidney stones include dehydration, which may lead to urine becoming more concentrated, leading to crystals.
