The Health Risks of Competitive Eating

Every year on July 4th, Americans look forward to watching, or perhaps even competing, in the renowned Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. The highest record, set by Joey Chestnut, is an astonishing number of seventy two hot dogs in ten minutes. While this may be shocking, revolting, or impressive, many ignore the health risks and consequences that come along with competitive eating. Merely a ten minute spectacle for viewers, many competitive eaters in fact devote a lot of time and practice to this, giving up both physical and mental aspects of health. 

To start off, everyone has a satiety reflex, a way that our brain tells us that we are full. Competitive eaters, through practice and mental willpower, overcome this satiation signal, allowing them to continue eating a massive amount of food. A study by Marc Levine of University of Pennsylvania looked at the differences in the stomachs of competitive eaters and non-competitive eaters. With participants consuming as many hot dogs as possible in twelve minutes, the results and differences are astounding. According to Levine, the stomach of the competitive eater looked like a “massively distended, food-filled sac occupying most of the upper abdomen” and there was “little or no gastric peristalsis.” Gastric peristalsis is responsible for breaking food down, and so without it, the competitive eater is able to overcome satiation and continue eating. Moreover, competitive eaters generally do not experience vomiting, choking, or pain with the large amount of food they intake. A non-competitive eater will usually do so after a certain amount of food intake, with a high risk of choking and tearing walls in the stomach. 

In addition, research has shown the many negative consequences of competitive eating. One is the development of morbid obesity, as many of these eaters are taking in a large amount of calories, especially during the competition. Although not all eaters train, those who do train by eating large meals, and therefore higher calorie intake. Eating competitions usually involve delicious but unhealthy foods, such as hot dogs, chicken wings, hamburgers, and pizza, foods high in calorie count. However, calorie intake is not the only concern, but so are the nutrients that are being consumed, or rather, the lack of nutrient consumption. Another possible result is gastroparesis, or stomach paralysis. In this case, the walls of the stomach are overly stretched and fail to contract. There is no cure to gastroparesis, only a change in diet or medication would resolve this condition. It is also a precursor to chronic indigestion, nausea, and/or vomiting. Constant vomiting increases the chances that food will enter the lungs rather than the esophagus. If the material in the lungs is not able to be coughed up, bacteria will develop and the lungs will become infected, with pneumonia being a possible consequence. Gastric ruptures and an imbalance of sodium levels are also possible, with the latter being a cause of seizures.

Not only are the in-the-moment consequences of eating a health risk, but so is the training that some undergo in preparation. A common technique used is to drink a gallon of water under sixty seconds, with some hitting the thirty second mark. This is a way to enlarge and stretch out the stomach, getting the body used to a large amount of intake. Although water seems harmless, as hydration is always emphasized, water intoxication lies on the other end of the spectrum. Too much water intake causes dilution of the electrolytes in blood, in particular sodium. As mentioned earlier, sodium imbalance can lead to seizures, but water intoxication includes even more fatal results, such as entering a coma or death. 

Although eating competitions are fun to watch, there is a reason why there is always the disclaimer of “do not follow at home.” While fame and monetary prizes for the winner is an incentive to partake in these activities, the severe health consequences and risks that come along with competitive eating are not to be ignored-- after all, you are what you eat. 

References:

https://www.insider.com/what-happens-to-joey-chestnuts-body-after-eating-hot-dogs-2021-7

https://www.ajronline.org/doi/full/10.2214/AJR.07.2342

https://time.com/2954614/competitive-eating-health-risks/

https://www.ahchealthenews.com/2018/07/02/dangers-competitive-eating/