Japanese competitive eater Takeru Kobayashi, known as the “Godfather of Competitive Eating,” has announced his retirement due to health concerns resulting from decades of overeating. In Netflix’s “Hack Your Health – The Secrets of Your Gut,” Kobayashi revealed that his continuous overeating during training for eating events has left him with no appetite or sensation of fullness. He often goes days without eating, envying the hunger he sees in others who feel satisfied after a meal.
Known for setting records in various food categories, including hot dogs, pizza, tacos, and hamburgers, Kobayashi dominated the Nathan’s Coney Island Hot Dog Eating Contest in 2001 when he devoured 50 hot dogs in just 12 minutes. Despite his impressive career, Kobayashi’s retirement reflects a new focus on longevity and health as he hopes to live a long and healthy life.
Over the years, Kobayashi’s preparation for eating events involved consuming larger quantities of food in the months leading up to the competition. However, tests conducted during the documentary revealed that his chronic overeating has negatively impacted his nervous system and brain, leading to an uncontrollable urge to consume more food. The documentary highlighted the complexity of his lack of hunger, with doctors noting that while his microbiome was healthy, his brain scans showed abnormalities related to his eating habits.
As Kobayashi embarks on a new chapter in his life, his decision to step away from competitive eating serves as a reminder of the importance of listening to one’s body and prioritizing health above all else. Despite his impressive feats in the world of competitive eating, his retirement underscores the need to address the long-term effects of overeating and its impact on overall well-being.
