Unlocking The Aftermath: Do Professional Eaters Experience Post-Contest Regurgitation?

Is it common for competitive eaters to experience vomiting after competitions? A study conducted in 2007 and published by the American Journal of Roentgenology (a radiology publication) shed light on the health risks associated with competitive eating. The study revealed that competitive eaters face significant health hazards such as morbid obesity, profound gastroparesis (paralysis of the stomach), intractable nausea and vomiting, and in extreme cases, the necessity for a gastrectomy. This information was reported by USA Today on July 4, 2023.

Why don’t competitive eaters experience vomiting during or after their eating challenges? Ivy League researchers speculate that competitive eaters undergo specialized training to override the natural bodily signals that indicate fullness and trigger the urge to regurgitate. This training allows them to consume enormous quantities of food without experiencing the typical reflex to vomit. This information was reported on June 30, 2017.

Do competitive eaters practice fasting both before and after their eating competitions? This dietary strategy is a common practice among competitive eaters. Interestingly, they often maintain a relatively thin physique because it is believed that having less body fat can actually enhance their performance during contests. This belief is rooted in the “belt of fat” theory, which suggests that excess belly fat can limit the stomach’s capacity to expand fully during consumption challenges. While fasting is a key aspect of their preparation, it’s important to note that the most perilous aspect of competitive eating doesn’t occur during the actual competition itself.