# Sodium-Reduced Instant Noodles The Nissin Top Ramen is Now Free From Artificial Flavors and MSG By Michael Hemsworth | Published 2017-10-10 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/top-ramen References: [preparedfoods](https://www.preparedfoods.com/articles/120468-nissin-foods-updates-top-ramen-recipe) Instant noodles are renowned in many parts of the world for being a quick, delicious meal option that requires little prep yet is often packed with unhealthy ingredients, so the [Nissin](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paper-cup-packaging) Top Ramen has been changed to curb this notion. The noodles are made with a reduced amount of sodium, are free from [MSG](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/msg-based-seasoning) and are made with natural flavors and no artificial flavors. This makes them a more appealing meal option to pick up over other varieties, which positions them as a slightly healthier [prepackaged noodle meal option](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/maruchan-products). The Nissin Top Ramen speaks to consumer preferences for increased health benefits from familiar products, which can be observed across the prepackaged food market where brands are removing unwanted items and using only natural ingredients. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.3/10 - Popularity: 47% | Activity: 43% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Healthy Instant Noodles:** Creating instant noodles with reduced sodium, no MSG, and natural flavors caters to the growing consumer demand for healthier prepackaged meals. - **Clean Label Food:** The shift towards using natural ingredients and eliminating artificial flavors appeals to consumers seeking transparent and clean label food options. - **Reformulated Convenience Foods:** The Nissin Top Ramen's reformulation showcases the opportunity for brands to improve the nutritional profiles of their convenience food products. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Prepackaged Food:** The prepackaged food industry can explore opportunities to develop healthier and more natural options that cater to the health-conscious consumer. - **Instant Noodles:** Incorporating healthier ingredients and reformulating instant noodle products can disrupt the traditional instant noodle industry and attract health-conscious consumers. - **Clean Label Products:** The clean label industry can seize the opportunity to promote and develop products that prioritize natural ingredients and remove artificial flavors and additives. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Plant-Powered Umami Noodles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/high-protein-instant-ramen.md) - [Healthy Instant Ramens](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/healthy-instant-ramen.md) - [Free-From Ramen Cups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chicken-bone-broth-ramen-cup.md) - [Quick-Cooking Fresh Ramen Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sun-noodle.md) - [Animal-Free Ramen Noodles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ramen-z.md) - [Restaurant-Inspired Instant Noodle Cups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/itsu-noodles-broth.md) - [Ultra-Flavorful Bone Broth Ramens](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bone-broth-ramen.md) - [Air-Dried Restaurant-Inspired Noodles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/momofuku-noodles.md) - [Protein-Rich Instant Noodles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-gym-kitchen-instant-noodles.md)