Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) food videos are getting out of hand, which concerns some dieticians and health experts because of their tempting nature.
Also known as Mukbang or meokbang, is an online audiovisual eating show in which a host consumes various quantities of food while interacting with the audience.
Health experts warn that watching videos like this on a regular basis may have an adverse effect on viewers’ mindset about food, especially if they have an eating disorder or an existing troubled connection with food.
From presenting unrealistic portions to promoting food waste, eating disorder specialists see major red flags in this form of “eatertainment.”
Millions of Youtubers have started these mukbang videos because of their popularity and views. Mukbang videos’ content can vary from a video, typically focused on certain kinds of food, such as sushi, pasta, or food from a specific fast food launch. Some streamers may employ unusual or lavish culinary methods, such as frying corn dogs in a batter of crushed Hot Cheetos or melting cheese with a blowtorch. Others use ASMR features to enhance the visuals and sounds of each bite.
These unhealthy, high-carb fascination with food have very serious effects, say experts. These mukbangers often intake fried foods, which are high in sugar and fat, and some others eat spicy noodles, which are rich in sodium, causing obesity and its related diseases.
Research suggests that it takes, on average, 21 days to form a habit. So if consistently gorging on high volumes of food, we must wonder if poor eating forms are likely to form. Glamorizing high portions may not only accelerate large meal plates but rising the intake of poorer nutrition choices.
