Can you die from overeating like the Bihar man who died after eating 150 momos?

Stuffing your face up with food items is never really a good option for your health, and it can often cause indigestion, bloating and whatnot. But can it lead to death? Apparently.

What happened

What started as a 'momo eating challenge' led to the death of a 25-year-old man from Bihar. Vipin Kumar Paswan, who worked at a mobile repairing shop, visited his friends on Thursday evening after work where they had a bet worth Rs 1,000 to find out who could eat the highest number of momos.

• However, after continuously consuming the snack, he suddenly collapsed and was rushed to the hospital when the doctors declared him dead after arrival.
• The incident took place on Thursday in Gopalganj, which is located about 145 km from the state capital Patna.
• Upon receiving information about the incident, the police dispatched his body for post-mortem.

Father accuses poisoning 

On the other hand, Paswan's father has accused his friends of conspiring to murder him. He alleges that they began a momo-eating challenge with the intention of poisoning his son during the event.

Authorities are currently conducting an investigation into the death, and they are awaiting a medical report.

[READ MORE: Can you die from drinking too much alcohol in a short period of time?]

Previous similar incident 

This is not the first time that momos have claimed the life of an individual. On June 15 this year, a 50-year-old man from Delhi choked on a momo and was declared dead on arrival at AIIMS Delhi.

How? Reports said that the man was drunk and consuming momos at a roadside eatery when he suddenly collapsed. A post-mortem examination revealed that a momo had become lodged in the opening of the man's windpipe.

The cause of death was identified as 'neurogenic cardiac arrest' resulting from the choking due to the momos. 

Following this incident, AIIMS released a cautionary statement regarding the consumption of one of India's most beloved snacks, emphasising the need to "exercise caution while swallowing".

It can be attributed to the relatively larger size of momo pieces and the common tendency to consume them in a single bite.

But can you die from overeating?

We all have indulged ourselves in a binge-eating fiesta time and again, but if we don't know when to stop, it can be fatal. 

Dr Meenakshi Jain, a physician from Delhi said that "it is possible to die as a result of overeating, although it is relatively rare".

Experts suggest that consuming excessive amounts of food in a short period of time can also cause a condition called "overeating syndrome", which can lead to electrolyte imbalances, organ failure, or cardiac issues in extreme cases.

She also suggests that if you are consuming a large amount of food rapidly, it can overwhelm the digestive system and lead to various issues.

• Furthermore, she explains that overeating rapidly can cause a condition known as gastric distension, where the stomach expands excessively due to the influx of food. This can put pressure on other organs, potentially leading to discomfort, pain, or even rupture of the stomach, which is fatal. 
• It may also cause a rapid spike in blood sugar levels, which can be dangerous for individuals with diabetes or other metabolic conditions.

Also remember that even though these risks exist, it's important to note that they are relatively rare. You can have occasional episodes of overeating without severe consequences.

Various momo stall owners also use monosodium glutamate or MSG in their momos which has been a topic of controversy and debate forever.  

Bottom line: Listen to your body, do not eat too fast or too much, and pause for a while if you're feeling discomfort or sweating too much. And with food like momos, especially, be extra careful. Not chewing properly or being in a hurry to swallow it can prove extremely harmful.

[READ MORE: Can you die from drinking too much water?]