The internet has taken entertainment to new extremes, and sometimes, it compromises the safety of those who perform. Yup, we’re talking about dangerous food challenges that have crossed the line. Behind those share buttons and reactions is a trip to the emergency room waiting to happen. Today, we’re bringing you the 8 internet food challenges that went too far.
8. Frozen Honey Challenge
This challenge happens by freezing honey and eating it as a snack. Seems innocent, right? That’s not until people started consuming massive quantities of them. The concentrated sugar found in honey may cause severe diarrhea, stomach cramps, and, of course, blood sugar spikes. Unfortunately, some participants required IV fluids attached to them due to dehydration.
7. The Dry Scoop Challenge
This challenge involves consuming pre-workout supplement powder without water. It became a hit among fitness influencers, but it’s far more dangerous than that. Those concentrated caffeine and stimulants may possibly cause heart attacks, strokes, and other bad cardiovascular events even in young and healthy individuals. You’ll likely suffer permanent heart damage from a challenge.
6. The Nutmeg Challenge
Believe it or not, eating large amounts of nutmeg became a trend. However, we are all aware of the dangers associated with consuming them. Nutmeg contains myristicin, which is a toxic compound that can cause seizures, heart palpitations, and nausea. Some bad cases require hospitalization as they experience these dangers for days.
5. Extreme Mukbang Challenges
What started as an innocent Korean trend of eating meals on camera became dangerously competitive. Participants are expected to consume enormous amounts of food in one sitting. Yup, imagine whole cakes, dozens of burgers, and a huge pan of spicy noodles. This led to dangerous weight gain and stomach ruptures, among others. Some developed eating disorders, diabetes, and heart problems because of their daily mukbang activities. Worst, some cases cost their lives.
4. Carolina Reaper Challenge
Imagine eating one of the world’s hottest peppers. While it seems like an enjoyable extreme challenge, the Carolina Reaper causes a thunderclap of headaches and even a temporary narrowing of brain arteries. Others who tried the challenge experienced severe gastrointestinal damage that required medical intervention. Yup, extreme capsaicin levels cause serious health risks.
3. Gallon Challenge
This trend challenges individuals to drink a gallon of milk in just an hour without vomiting. However, it’s impossible for most people as it exploits the capacity of their stomachs. With that, it results in violent vomiting and aspiration. In some unlucky cases, water intoxication-like symptoms happen if people try it with water instead.
2. Hot Chip Challenge
The hot chip challenge features one tortilla chip coated with some of the world’s hottest peppers. This has sent countless people to emergency rooms. Consuming even one would cause extreme pain, vomiting, and difficulty breathing. This could also spike your blood pressure, with some suffering from esophageal tears that require hospitalization due to severe reactions.
1. Cinnamon Challenge
This seemingly simple challenge involves swallowing a spoonful of ground cinnamon without water. Well, cinnamon can’t be dissolved with saliva, which would result in choking and vomiting. Other dangerous effects would be collapsed lungs and, in some cases, developing permanent lung damage from inhaling them into the respiratory system.