Title: Joey Chestnut Devours Record-Breaking 76 Hot Dogs at Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest
Subtitle: Calories Consumed and Dangers of Competitive Eating Revealed
Date: July 5, 2021
The annual Fourth of July tradition of indulging in delicious hot dogs took center stage once again at the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest on Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York. Competitive eaters, including world champion Joey Chestnut, astonished audiences with their insatiable appetites.
Last year, Joey Chestnut secured his 15th victory by devouring a staggering 63 hot dogs and buns in just 10 minutes. In an extraordinary feat, Chestnut broke his own record this year by consuming a mind-boggling 76 hot dogs and buns, establishing himself as the reigning hot dog eating world champion.
On the women’s side, Miki Sudo, an eight-time champion, holds the record with an impressive 48.5 hot dogs and buns.
Amidst the excitement and celebration, it’s important to recognize the massive amount of calories consumed during this legendary eating competition. For instance, each Nathan’s Original Coney Island natural casing beef frank contains approximately 170 calories, while one Nathan’s restaurant style bun adds an additional 130 calories. Therefore, Chestnut’s consumption of 63 hot dogs and buns last year accounted for a whopping 18,900 calories. In his record-setting year of devouring 76 hot dogs, his intake would have reached an astonishing 22,800 calories.
Notably, each Nathan’s natural casing beef frank contains 16 grams of total fat and 480 milligrams of sodium, making one hot dog equivalent to 21% of the recommended daily values for each. Chestnut’s total fat consumption from last year’s contest would have accumulated to 1,008 grams, alongside a staggering 30,240 milligrams of sodium. The excessive intake of sodium is associated with an increased risk of developing high blood pressure, a leading cause of stroke and heart disease.
It begs the question, how do these competitive eaters consume such astronomical quantities of food? Competitive eaters develop the ability to stretch and relax their stomachs to accommodate more food. Through a combination of consuming large amounts of low-calorie foods and liquids, such as water, diet soda, watermelon, and cabbage, they train their stomachs for the task at hand. Despite these efforts, every competitor eventually reaches their limit, often experiencing unpleasant side effects such as nausea, painful gas, vomiting, heartburn, and diarrhea. In severe cases, choking, esophageal inflammation, and even stomach rupture can occur.
To ensure the safety of participants, Major League Eating, the organization overseeing professional eating contests, including the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, follows strict safety protocols. These protocols include having an on-site emergency medical technician and limiting participation to individuals aged 18 and above. However, the organization strongly advises against attempting these eating challenges at home.
As the legendary Fourth of July hot dog eating contest comes to a close, Joey Chestnut once again demonstrates his exceptional talent by setting a new world record. While it’s impressive to witness the incredible feats of competitive eaters, it is crucial to be aware of the potential risks and dangers associated with consuming such colossal quantities of food in a short period.