Extreme Eating: When It Becomes Dangerous

The Perilous Side of extreme Eating Trends: When Food challenges Turn Deadly

April 15, 2025

The internet is filled with videos of people eating massive amounts of food, often in bizarre or extreme ways. While seemingly harmless, these trends can carry serious health risks.

Imagine a table overflowing with food, the sounds of chewing amplified, all captured by a glaring camera.This is the reality of many online videos centered around extreme eating. These trends, though not entirely new, are gaining traction and can have serious consequences. Whether it’s consuming incredibly spicy dishes, bizarre food combinations, or simply vast quantities of food, the act of watching others eat has become a popular yet perhaps dangerous pastime. Frequently enough fueled by social media, these trends can pressure participants to engage in increasingly risky behavior to gain views and followers.

Christina Holzapfel, professor at the Hochschule Fulda and head of the research group “Personalized Nutrition and E-Health” at the Technical University of Munich, warns of the dangers of these trends: “Im Prinzip ist das alles ja ein Wettbewerb. Und ein Wettbewerb geht oft in etwas Extremes über” (“In principle, it’s all a competition. And a competition often turns into something extreme.”). Holzapfel emphasizes the risks when these trends are underestimated and not properly understood.

The Rise of ‘Mukbang‘ and Its Perils

Efecan Kültür,a Turkish TikToker,gained notoriety for his daily videos showcasing him devouring massive quantities of food. Known as “Mukbang,” these videos garnered thousands of views. Tragically, Kültür died at the young age of 24 due to complications from obesity, according to Turkish media reports. He had reportedly been hospitalized for an extended period prior to his death.

Kültür’s story is not an isolated incident. Extreme eating trends, characterized by excessive portions and extreme spiciness, have led to numerous health emergencies in recent years. In the U.S., emergency rooms have seen an increase in cases related to food challenges, ranging from severe heartburn and vomiting to more serious conditions like esophageal rupture.

Harald Seitz from the Federal Center for Nutrition, highlights the danger of imitation: “Wenn dann die videos teils gefaked sind, kann das ein echtes Problem sein” (“If the videos are partly faked, it can be a real problem”).Seitz adds, “Kein Mensch isst im Normalfall diese Portionen. Das schaffen sie gar nicht, das schafft der Körper gar nicht. Da ist der Magen einfach dann irgendwann voll” (“No one normally eats these portions. They can’t do it,the body can’t do it. The stomach is simply full at some point.”). He also emphasizes the importance of meal composition.

the Body’s Response to Excess

Expert Holzapfel explains that the foods often featured in these videos are “energiereiche,energiedichte Lebensmittel mit vielen Kalorien” (“energy-rich,energy-dense foods with many calories”).She warns that “Diese Menge, die da gegessen wird, sollte eine Ausnahme sein und das ist natürlich für den Körper auch eine aussergewöhnliche Situation” (“This amount that is eaten should be an exception and that is of course an remarkable situation for the body”).Eating beyond satiety can trigger nausea,bloating,and even vomiting as “Der Körper wehrt sich ja auch gegen diese grossen Mengen an Nahrung” (“The body defends itself against these large amounts of food”).

Consider the case of competitive eating contests, popular in the U.S.While often viewed as entertainment, these events can place extreme stress on the digestive system. Participants train to stretch their stomachs to accommodate massive quantities of food, often leading to long-term health problems.

Potential Health Risks of Extreme Eating	U.S. Context
Obesity and related complications	Rising obesity rates in the U.S. contribute to increased risks of heart disease,diabetes,and certain cancers.
Digestive issues (nausea, vomiting, bloating)	Emergency room visits for digestive problems are common after food challenges.
Esophageal rupture	A rare but life-threatening condition caused by overeating.
Nutrient deficiencies	Focus on extreme quantities can neglect essential vitamins and minerals, impacting overall health.

The Origins of ‘Mukbang’ and its Cultural Context

the “Mukbang” trend originated in South Korea in the early 2000s. The phenomenon emerged somewhat accidentally when a gamer on the Korean streaming platform “AfreecaTV” ate a cup of instant noodles on camera and received positive feedback. Soon,many others began imitating the trend.

The term “Mukbang” combines the words “Muk-da” (eat) and “Bang Song” (broadcast/send), aptly describing the activity of filming oneself while eating.

The trend’s emergence in South Korea is linked to the country’s rapidly changing eating culture. Traditional Korean meals,once governed by strict Confucian rituals,have been replaced by quick,processed fast food due to long working hours and short lunch breaks. Many now eat alone in front of their laptops, a stark contrast to the traditional communal dining experience.

In the U.S., the decline of family meals and the rise of solo dining have also contributed to a shift in eating habits. This can lead to a disconnect from the social and psychological benefits of shared meals.

Experte Seitz notes that “Für viele ist dieses gemeinschaftliche Essen natürlich auch dem sozialen Miteinander förderlich. Und das hat dann schon einen psychologischen Vorteil” (“For many, this communal eating is of course also conducive to social interaction. And that has a psychological advantage.”).

Platform Obligation and the Spread of Misinformation

social media platforms have community guidelines in place, with TikTok, for example, age-restricting potentially harmful content. However, Holzapfel argues that the lack of expert evaluation of content remains a problem. “Am Ende ist ja Social Media eine Plattform, über die sich menschen erkundigen und auch ihr Wissen holen und auch natürlich Informationen teilen” (“social media is a platform where people inquire and also get their knowledge and of course share data”), says Holzapfel. While acknowledging the positive aspects of social media, such as networking and access to recipes, she stresses that “dass sich jeder Experte nennen kann und dann diese Botschaften eben nicht evidenzbasiert sind und nicht von der Wissenschaft kommen” (“that anyone can call themselves an expert and then these messages are not evidence-based and do not come from science”).

Mitigating the Risks: Education and Awareness

Seitz believes that regulations have limited effectiveness. He suggests that a heavy-handed approach is unlikely to be successful and emphasizes the importance of education. “Es geht nur darum, zu sagen: Hier, passt mal auf, bei solchen Trends: Ja, das kann witzig sein und unterhaltend, aber lasst euch dann nicht in die Irre führen” (“It’s just about saying: Here, pay attention to such trends: Yes, it can be funny and entertaining, but don’t let yourself be misled.”).

In the U.S., public health campaigns could play a vital role in raising awareness about the dangers of extreme eating trends. These campaigns could target young people, educating them about healthy eating habits and the risks of social media challenges. Educational initiatives in schools and communities could further reinforce these messages.

Strategies for Promoting Healthy Eating	U.S. Application
Education about balanced diets	Promote resources like MyPlate from the USDA to guide healthy eating choices.
Critical evaluation of online content	Teach media literacy skills to help individuals discern reliable information from misinformation.
Promoting mindful eating	Encourage individuals to pay attention to their body’s hunger and fullness cues.
Supporting healthy social media communities	Highlight influencers who promote positive body image and healthy eating habits.

Let me know if you want me to elaborate on something!

The Perilous Side of Extreme Eating Trends: An Expert interview

Welcome, readers, to Archyde News. Today, we delve into the increasingly popular yet potentially dangerous world of extreme eating trends.With videos of competitive eating and “Mukbangs” flooding social media, we’re here to understand the health implications and cultural context. Joining us is Dr. Anya Petrova, a leading dietician specializing in eating disorders and the impact of social media on food behaviors.

The Risks of Extreme Eating

Archyde News: Dr. Petrova, thank you for being here. Let’s start with the basics. What are the primary health risks associated with extreme eating trends, and how prevalent are these concerns in the U.S.today?

Dr. Petrova: Thank you for having me. The health risks are numerous and concerning. As detailed in our recent reports, we see a rise in obesity, digestive issues like severe heartburn, vomiting, and even life-threatening conditions like esophageal rupture, all exacerbated by eating excessive quantities of food.In the U.S., we are seeing an increase in emergency room visits related to food challenges, reflecting this growing problem.”

Understanding “Mukbang” and its Influence

Archyde News: The article references the “Mukbang” trend originating from South Korea. Can you elaborate on the cultural context of this phenomenon and how it differs from similar trends in the U.S.?

Dr. Petrova: The “Mukbang” trend originated partly due to the changing eating habits in South Korea,where meals may be eaten alone in front of a screen. In the U.S., the decline of family meals and the rise of solo dining contribute to these changes and drive viewership. Both cultures see fewer opportunities for social interaction during meals, impacting our eating habits and potential health problems.

The Social Media Factor

Archyde News: Social media platforms are key in spreading these trends. what role do you see platforms playing, and what measures could they take to mitigate the risks?

Dr. Petrova: Social media serves as a platform where people inquire and get knowledge. The lack of expert evaluation of content is a significant issue. Platforms must invest in stricter oversight, including AI-powered tools that detect and flag content promoting unhealthy eating habits, alongside promoting content from experts and providing more visibility into health issues. Additionally, the content displayed is not always accurate, as influencers may alter facts.

Shifting Eating Habits

Archyde News: The article mentions the potential for nutritional deficiencies. How can individuals ensure they maintain a healthy balance when exposed to these trends and the pressure to overeat?

Dr. Petrova: Education is Key. Promoting health literacy is essential. We need to improve education about balanced diets and critical evaluations of online content. Schools and online initiatives need to teach media literacy skills to help individuals discern reliable facts from misinformation. Also, we can teach people to pay attention to their body’s hunger and fullness cues.

Mitigating the Risks

Archyde News: Looking ahead, what strategies do you believe are most effective in promoting healthier eating habits and mitigating the dangers of these trends?

Dr. Petrova: Education and awareness campaigns play a vital role. The U.S. would be wise to educate the public, especially young people, about healthy eating habits and the inherent risks of eating challenges. We could also promote mindful eating and encourage the support of healthy social media communities. the key is promoting healthy habits and critical thinking skills, because the social element of shared meals is important.

A Thought-Provoking question

Archyde News: Dr. Petrova, thank you for such valuable insights.As we wrap up, what specific strategies, not yet implemented, do you believe would significantly impact the fight against the rise of these unhealthy eating trends?

Dr. Petrova: I think the implementation of stricter guidelines and more effective community-based campaigns, which can educate individuals alongside making them understand the body’s capabilities, needs, and limitations, will be impactful.Also, we need to encourage a culture that promotes positive body image and healthy eating habits through support groups and professional counselors, which are not frequently enough found.