The Deadly Risks Of Binge Eating: Is Mukbang Worth The Fame?

Despite Mukbang videos being prohibited in China, content creators still broadcast their eating binges live.

Health concerns have surfaced on social media following Pan Xiaoting's death. Photo Credit: @Bad_AI_/X

Pan Xiaoting, a 24-year-old Chinese live-streamer who was known for her extreme eating habits, passed away while feeding thousands of her fans a 10-hour food binge that included 10 kg (22 pounds) of cake, chicken fingers, and seafood.

A malformed stomach full of undigested food was discovered during Xiaoting’s autopsy, which may have resulted from a stomach tear that allowed food and acid to seep into her belly.

The Rise of Mukbang and Its Impact

Mukbang is a South Korean trend where people consume a lot of food in front of the camera. Because of her Mukbang live streaming, Xiaoting rose to fame in China; nonetheless, her passing has sparked grave worries about the health hazards connected to this practice. Despite Mukbang videos being prohibited in China, content creators still broadcast their eating binges live.

Western Influencers at Risk

Physicians caution that Western influencers might follow. By video themselves going on food binges, a number of American content creators, including Candy Godiva (Hungry Fat Chick) and Nicholas Perry (Nikocado Avocado), have become extremely successful. After starting his trip in 2016 at 160 pounds, Perry is currently about 350 pounds, and he routinely consumes more than 10,000 calories while filming.

Medical Warnings and Consequences

Daily Mail reported that a senior psychology lecturer at Nottingham Trent University in the UK, Dr. Andrew Harris, explained that mukbang videos emphasise excess and consumption, which may encourage an unhealthy eating pattern. In the same report, registered dietician Katie Lopez highlighted the serious health hazards. These include dehydration, irregular heart rate, acid/base imbalances, substantial increases in glucose and fats, and stomach perforation.

The Psychological and Social Effects

Originally, the purpose of mukbang videos was to give viewers a sense of friendship in order to reduce loneliness. Dr. Harris points out that watching these films too often could make loneliness worse by replacing in-person social encounters with phoney online ones. Lopez claims that the allure of Mukbang has since changed into a hideous exhibition of gluttony and self-harm.

Understanding the Risks

The tragic consequences of excessive eating are brought home by the passing of Pan Xiaoting. Overindulging in food can result in serious electrolyte imbalances, blood vessel compression, stomach rupture or tears, and strain on the heart.