As fans gear up for the annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest this Fourth of July, health experts are raising concerns about the potential risks of extreme eating. In 2023, champion Joey Chestnut consumed 62 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes—totaling over 18,000 calories.
Dr. Alexander Finck of Cornerstone Family Clinics in central Missouri’s-Fulton and Mexico told Missourinet, a typical person takes in about 2,000 calories a day.
“You know, if you’ve ever heard of like the meat sweats or whatever, there is something to that and that, you know, your metabolism can spike,” said Finck. “You know it takes energy to process food, actually, which can cause, you know, heat production, which can cause you to sweat. You can also have high blood pressure. Your blood sugars will spike. You might have some bloating or reflux.”
Finck told Missourinet, the impact of consuming that many calories could be extraordinary over time.
“The effects of the bloating and the high blood pressure and kind of feeling gross afterwards, you know that can last a day or days afterwards,” said Finck. “Do what sparks joy for you, I guess. I mean, there aren’t really good studies on the long-term effects of this. A lot of its speculation and kind of our understanding of the anatomy. Certainly, there are safer activities like golf or running or something like that, but if that’s what you want to do on your 4th of July, just make sure you’re safe about.”
Finck warns those with heart conditions or diabetes to avoid such practices.
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