According to data from the Calorie Control Council, the average American will consume about 3,000 calories on Thanksgiving. We consider ourselves above average though, so that total will all likelihood be more.
We imagine a lot of people will eat until they just can’t anymore, to the point where you feel like your stomach is about to explode. Could such a thing happen though?
Technically…yes.
NYU Langone gastroenterologist Dr. Balzora says such a condition is called a gastrointestinal perforation, and while it does happen, it is very rare. And usually it occurs when someone ingests a corrosive chemical or swallows something sharp, not just from overeating.
Dr. Balzora said per the NY Post, “Your stomach is a tough organ, with thick muscle walls and a rich blood supply that can easily withstand even a hearty Thanksgiving meal.”
According to Dr. Balzora, our bodies have a couple of fail-safes to make sure our stomachs don’t explode: if we eat too much for our stomachs to handle, we’re much more likely to feel extremely nauseous and just throw it back up.
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