Competitive eating champion Joey Chestnut devours dozens of hot dogs every Fourth of July at the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest and returns year after year. However, the long-term effects of such extreme eating on his body and that of other competitive eaters remain unknown. Chestnut has set records by consuming as many as 83 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes, surpassing his previous record of 76. In 2023, he won the Nathan’s contest by eating 62 hot dogs, but did not compete in 2024. Chestnut made a comeback in the following year, devouring 70.5 hot dogs and buns to reclaim the title. In the women’s competition, defending champion Miki Sudo ate 33 hot dogs and buns this year after consuming a record 51 in 2024. Contestants can consume up to 22,000 calories in a single competition meal.
The potential health risks of competitive eating are not well understood due to the sport’s novelty and limited participant pool, according to Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics spokesperson Debbie Petitpain. Health experts suggest that competitive eating could lead to health concerns such as permanent stomach stretching and altered gastric emptying. Gastroenterologist Dr. Rajeev Jain warned about the impact of extreme eating on the stomach, highlighting potential long-term consequences.
While there is limited scientific research on competitive eating, a 2007 study at the University of Pennsylvania shed light on the stomach’s capacity during extreme eating. The study compared a control subject to a competitive speed eater who consumed a large number of hot dogs in a short period. The results showed that the competitive eater’s stomach could expand significantly to accommodate more food, causing distension and altered gastric function.
Dr. David Metz, one of the study authors, explained that competitive eaters can relax their stomachs to ingest large quantities of food rapidly. The study highlighted the extreme capacity of the stomach in competitive eaters and raised concerns about the potential health implications of such eating practices.
The stomach is a complex system, Metz explained. It consists of two main components: a receptacle on top and a grinder-like structure at the bottom. As people consume food, their stomach muscles stretch to accommodate it, but every muscle has its limit. Metz warned that overeating can lead to the stomach losing its ability to contract effectively, resulting in issues like bloating and fatigue.
Competitive eaters have been known to employ various strategies to expand their stomach capacity, such as consuming large quantities of cabbage or water loading. However, these methods can be risky. Following eating contests, participants often experience bloating, exhaustion, and gastrointestinal discomfort for a day or two.
In addition to stomach-related effects, competitive eating can have broader impacts on a person’s health. Participants may experience sweating, dizziness, and fainting after contests. Some individuals have reported pain in their face, jaw, and neck due to the intense chewing and swallowing involved. Certain athletes have even developed jaw arthritis from the strain.
It’s not just the sheer amount of food consumed that poses a problem, but also the nature of the food. For instance, hot dogs are high in sodium, fat, and calories. Excessive sodium intake can lead to high blood pressure and kidney issues, while a high-fat diet can cause nausea and gastrointestinal problems. Additionally, the carb-heavy buns eaten during contests can lead to insulin spikes and digestive challenges.
While the body can adapt to these extreme conditions during competitions, there are risks involved, including potential heart issues and strokes. Competitors must be cautious about the long-term impact of their eating habits and ensure they return to a balanced diet post-contest to allow their bodies to recover.
Moreover, there are immediate dangers during competitions, such as the risk of aspirating or damaging the esophagus if a participant vomits. Sadly, there have been instances of individuals losing their lives during eating contests, highlighting the serious health risks associated with competitive eating.
A college student passed away after choking during a pancake-eating contest, while a 42-year-old man was asphyxiated during a donut-eating competition in the same year. Metz expressed concerns about the dangers involved, stating, “There’s a lot of danger involved and many of us have been very concerned about this.” Major League Eating, which oversees professional competitions, has safety teams present at events and strongly discourages any form of at-home training. According to a 2023 statement given to CBS News, the organization follows strict safety protocols, such as having an emergency medical technician on site and ensuring participants are at least 18 years old. In other news, the implications of a new DOJ memo for naturalized U.S. citizens, the expected record-setting travel numbers for the July 4 holiday week, and the report of several individuals missing from a Texas summer camp due to deadly flooding are making headlines.
