The 'Reversal of Fortune' Rule and Competitive Eating Myths
Contrary to a common assumption, professional competitive eaters are highly trained athletes with a strict code of conduct that discourages vomiting, or a "reversal of fortune," during a contest. Major League Eating (MLE) and similar sanctioning bodies have a zero-tolerance policy; any contestant who vomits food during or immediately after the official eating period is disqualified. This rule was notably tested in 2007 during the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest when Takeru Kobayashi was investigated for a possible reversal, though judges ultimately ruled in his favor. While the spectacle might lead spectators to believe contestants rush to throw up afterwards, the reality is more complex and involves careful physiological management and significant physical distress.
The Science of Training: Stomachs of Steel
Professional eaters train their bodies, particularly their stomachs, to handle massive volumes of food. Their training regime is intense and focuses on two key aspects: expanding stomach capacity and controlling the gag reflex. Eaters like Joey Chestnut and others use techniques such as "water loading," where they consume large quantities of water over short periods to stretch their stomachs. Some also eat large volumes of low-calorie, high-fiber foods like cabbage or watermelon to build elasticity. This practice allows the stomach to expand like a "flaccid sac," as one study described it, without triggering the usual signals of satiety. For a non-competitive eater, eating to this point would cause immediate nausea and vomiting, but the pros have trained themselves to ignore these signals. This training, however, comes with significant health risks, including the potentially fatal risk of electrolyte dilution from excessive water intake.
Immediate Post-Contest Reality
The moments immediately following a competition are not characterized by purging but by exhaustion and significant physical discomfort. Competitors report extreme bloating, profuse sweating, and a feeling of being wiped out. The body is struggling to process the massive load of food, which remains largely undigested in the stomach for an extended period. This leads to rapid and frequent trips to the bathroom, with competitor Joey Chestnut famously confirming that eating a huge volume of food leads to a similarly large bowel movement shortly after. The body's systems, from the kidneys flushing out excess sodium to the digestive system working overtime, are in shock. This is a natural, albeit intense, physiological response, not a forced act of vomiting.
Long-Term Health Concerns and Consequences
While professional eaters actively avoid throwing up, the long-term health consequences of competitive eating are severe and widely documented by medical professionals. Repeatedly expanding the stomach can cause a condition called gastroparesis, or paralysis of the stomach, where the muscles lose their ability to contract and push food through the digestive tract. This can lead to chronic nausea, vomiting, and bloating. A 2007 study highlighted the risk of morbid obesity, gastroparesis, and the need for a gastrectomy (stomach removal surgery) among career competitive eaters. Other dangers include esophageal tears, heartburn, and the potential for developing eating disorders. Though many pro eaters maintain a normal weight outside of competition by fasting and exercising, the damage to their digestive system may be irreversible. For more information on the long-term effects, see the NIH's article on competitive eating.
Comparison Table: Professional vs. Amateur Post-Contest Experience
| Aspect | Professional Competitive Eater | Amateur Contestant |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Goal | Win the contest by keeping food down. | May not have a clear strategy; often unprepared for the quantity. |
| Training | Years of disciplined stomach stretching and gag reflex control. | None or minimal preparation. |
| Vomiting (During Contest) | Instantly disqualified for a "reversal of fortune". | High risk due to untrained gag reflex and smaller stomach capacity. |
| Vomiting (After Contest) | Extremely rare; considered a failure of training. Managed through fasting and exercise. | More likely due to unprepared digestive system; a sign of the body rejecting the intake. |
| Post-Contest Recovery | Experiences exhaustion, bloating, and rapid bowel movements. Returns to healthy diet and exercise within days. | Experiences immediate nausea, cramps, and severe indigestion. Recovery may be more difficult. |
| Long-Term Risks | Gastroparesis, chronic nausea, potential need for gastrectomy. | High risk of choking, esophageal damage, or one-time injury. |
Conclusion: The Harsh Reality Behind the Glory
The truth about whether hot dog contest eaters throw up after a contest reveals a stark difference between professional conduct and amateur speculation. For elite competitors, throwing up is a sign of failure and results in immediate disqualification, so they train rigorously to prevent it. Their bodies endure significant, prolonged physical distress instead. Amateurs, however, are far more likely to experience vomiting and other severe digestive issues. While the long-term risks, like gastroparesis and chronic nausea, are a real and troubling side-effect of this extreme behavior, professional eaters have built a discipline around managing the immediate aftermath. The spectacle of competitive eating masks a serious physical ordeal for all involved, showcasing the extreme lengths and potential health costs of pushing the human body to its limits.
Competitive consumption: Ten minutes. 20 000 calories. Long... (nih.gov)
