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    What's up with competitive eating?

    enAugust 06, 2009

    Podcast Summary

    • IHeartRadio Music Awards with Performances from Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, and MoreRenowned artists Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, Green Day, TLC, Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson, and host Ludegris brought music history to life at the iHeartRadio Music Awards.

      The iHeartRadio Music Awards is celebrating music history with performances from renowned artists like Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, Green Day, TLC, Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson, and host Ludegris. Meanwhile, on a different note, the podcast "Case File: The Easy Street Murders" explores a 47-year-old unsolved double homicide in Australia. Elsewhere, Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant of Stuff You Should Know discussed their high school days and the art of competitive eating. While Chuck reminisced about his friends who made it to the Wall of Fame at a now-defunct buffalo wings chain, Josh revealed he once helped a friend who overindulged at a Chinese food buffet. Despite their shared experiences, they agreed that they no longer engage in such eating marathons.

    • From Buffets to Competitive Eating: A New Dining ExperienceCompetitive eating, a sport where individuals consume large quantities of food in a short time, has gained popularity, with notable events and a federation overseeing competitions, tracing back to 1916 at Coney Island.

      Buffets may have been a popular all-you-can-eat option in the past, but they're no longer the most competitive dining experience out there. Instead, competitive eating has emerged as a unique and intriguing sport with a rich history. This sport, which involves consuming large quantities of food in a short amount of time, has gained significant popularity over the years, with notable events and even a federation, now known as Major League Eating, overseeing competitions. The origins of competitive eating can be traced back to Coney Island in 1916, where Nathan's Hot Dogs hosted the first recorded eating contest. Since then, various eating competitions have taken place, with some legendary figures like Ping Bodie, an Italian-American baseball player, participating in early contests. Despite the humble beginnings, competitive eating has evolved into a spectacle, with eaters consuming impressive amounts of food in a short time, showcasing their skills and determination.

    • From casual county fair events to serious competitionsCompetitive eating contests have transformed from simple challenges to serious sports with dedicated participants, known as 'gurgitators'.

      The tradition of competitive eating, specifically hot dog eating contests, has evolved significantly since its early days at county fairs. What started as a simple, albeit gross, challenge has turned into a serious competitive sport with dedicated participants, known as "gurgitators." This transformation began in the late 1990s when George and Richard Shea of Nathan's Famous Hotdogs took the concept and ran with it, attracting a new wave of competitive eaters. One such eater was Takiro Kobayashi, a 160-pound Japanese man with shocking red hair who could consume 50-60 hot dogs in just eight minutes. Kobayashi's impressive feats inspired many aspiring eaters, who were previously content with eating only a handful more hot dogs than their friends. The competitive eating scene was forever changed, with Kobayashi ruling the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest for many years until a jaw injury forced him to retire. The evolution of competitive eating contests from casual county fair events to serious competitions with dedicated participants is a fascinating example of how traditions can change and grow over time.

    • Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest: A Battle of Determination and Intense CompetitionJoey Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi's rivalry showcases the intense competition and determination in the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest. Sonya Thomas holds numerous records in competitive eating, highlighting the impressive feats achievable in this unique sport.

      The Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest is a renowned event, with Joey Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi being two of its most famous competitors. In 2007, Chestnut defeated Kobayashi, who claimed to have a jaw injury, leading to a heated exchange between the two. While some competitive eaters use water to help swallow large quantities of food, this incident highlighted the intense competition and determination within the sport. Meanwhile, in a completely different context, the unsolved double homicide of Susan Bartlett and Suzanne Armstrong in 1976 left the community in shock, with many questions remaining unanswered. Journalist Helen Thomas has been investigating the case for over a decade and is now delving deeper for a new podcast on the iHeartRadio app. Additionally, Sonya Thomas, also known as the Black Widow, holds numerous records in competitive eating, showcasing the impressive feats achievable in this unique sport. Records include eating 35 hot dogs in 10 minutes, 167 chicken wings in 32 minutes, and 8.31 pounds of armored Vienna sausage in 10 minutes, among others.

    • Competitive Eating: Pushing Limits and Setting RecordsSonia Thomas, a 100-pound woman, holds the record for eating 65 hard-boiled eggs, while Joey Chestnut dominates the male scene with records like eating 103 crystal burgers and 68 hot dogs.

      Competitive eating is an intriguing and extreme sport, where participants consume large quantities of food in a short amount of time to set records or win competitions. Two notable figures in this field are Sonia "The Black Widow" Thomas and Joey Chestnut. Thomas, who weighs only 100 pounds, holds the record for eating 65 hard-boiled eggs in six minutes and 40 seconds. She dominates the competitive eating scene, ranking sixth in the International Federation of Competitive Eating (IFOCE) and likely the top female. Thomas goes by the name "The Black Widow." Joey Chestnut, on the other hand, is a male dominator in the sport. From 2002 to 2007, Takeru Kobayashi, a Japanese competitor, held most of the major records. However, Chestnut, an American, took the spotlight and broke numerous records, including eating 103 crystal burgers (similar to sliders) and 68 hot dogs with buns in one sitting. Competitive eaters often use water and dips to help swallow the food, and while vomiting on the table or food is a disqualification, puking elsewhere might still count as eaten. Competitive eating is a fascinating spectacle, with participants pushing their bodies to the limit and setting new records. The dedication and sheer willpower required to consume such massive amounts of food in a short time is awe-inspiring.

    • Unexpected experiences can lead to unexpected outcomesSometimes life surprises us with unexpected situations, and it's important to be prepared and handle them with grace and resilience.

      Life can surprise us with unexpected experiences, some of which may involve challenging situations like getting sick after taking a shot. The speaker shares a story from his past about a shot of Bacardi 151 and Wild Turkey 101 that he was given on his birthday, which ended up making him sick and causing him to puke in a bar. Despite his intention to prove his toughness, he was disqualified from a competition because of the mess. This story serves as a reminder that sometimes, things don't go as planned, and it's important to be prepared for the unexpected. Additionally, the discussion touched on various topics such as food consumption challenges and music, but the main focus was on the unexpected nature of life and the importance of handling unexpected situations with grace and resilience.

    • Investigating the Health Risks of Competitive EatingCompetitive eating, particularly hot dog contests, can lead to dangerous health practices and potential normalization of bulimia and obesity. Competitors train to expand their stomachs and risk water intoxication and stomach paralysis for significant prize money.

      The competitive eating scene, particularly hot dog eating contests, raises concerns regarding health risks and potential normalization of bulimia and obesity. Journalist Helen Thomas has investigated the issue for over a decade and shares her insights in a new podcast. These contests, which involve consuming large quantities of food in a short amount of time, can lead to dangerous practices like water intoxication and stomach paralysis. While some argue it's just a tradition or a joke, the stakes are high with significant prize money. Competitors train rigorously to expand their stomachs, sometimes consuming large amounts of water or milk. The dark side of competitive eating is a serious issue that warrants attention.

    • Impact of extreme eating on stomach and metabolismCompetitive eaters may manipulate hunger signals to consume large quantities of food, but these practices can be harmful and not endorsed by medical community. Stomach expansion and fat levels may contribute to their ability to eat large amounts, but high calorie and fat foods consumed in excess can lead to health issues.

      Extreme eating behaviors, such as those exhibited by competitive eaters, can significantly impact the stomach and metabolism. Ghrelin and other hormones play a role in signaling hunger and satiety to the brain. Some competitive eaters may have figured out ways to block these signals, allowing them to consume large quantities of food. The less fat a person has, the easier it may be for their stomach to expand, potentially contributing to their ability to eat large amounts. However, these practices can be dangerous and are not endorsed by the medical community. For instance, Kobayashi holds records for eating large quantities of mayonnaise and cow's brains, but these are not recommended for regular consumption due to their high calorie and fat content.

    • A high school student was banned from her AP biology class for using a history podcast as a source of informationA podcast can lead to better grades and deeper understanding despite being banned as a source in some classrooms

      The podcast "Stuff You Missed in History Class" not only educates its listeners but also occasionally gets them into trouble. Sarah, a high school senior and avid listener, was banned from her AP biology class for using the podcast as a source of information during essays and discussions. Despite the teacher's concerns, Sarah's use of the podcast led to better grades and a deeper understanding of the subject matter. The podcast covers a wide range of topics, from competitive eating to historical mysteries, and encourages its listeners to learn and explore beyond the classroom. If you've ever found yourself in a similar situation or have an interesting story to share about using the podcast as a tool for learning, send it to [stuffpodcast@howstuffworks.com](mailto:stuffpodcast@howstuffworks.com). For more information on various topics and to stay updated with the latest from HowStuffWorks, visit their website or check out their blogs.

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