Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
Food For Thought: "Hot Dogs Cause Butt Cancer"
By
Garth Johnston
Published Jul 4, 2012
Modified Jul 4, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Alycia Kravtiz/Gothamist
By
Garth Johnston
Published Jul 4, 2012
Modified Jul 4, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Competitive eaters and their fans aren't the only folks who are heading to Coney Island right now for the annual Hot Dog Eating Competition there. members of the nonprofit Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine are planning on showing up to show their displeasure as well. Because hot dogs, they say, will kill you.
"Eating just one hot dog a day can increase your risk of colorectal cancer by 21 percent," reads the group's press materials. "Hot dogs are also packed with fat, sodium, and cholesterol, which can raise the risk of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease." They also taste great and go well with mustard.
The group is particularly interested in getting its "Hot Dogs Cause Butt Cancer" message across at the contest outside of Nathan's because of just how many hot dogs get consumed at the annual event. As they point out, last year winner Joey Chestnut (who weighed in yesterday at 210 pounds) ate 62 dogs in 10 minutes...which adds up to "18,689 calories, 2,085 mg of cholesterol, 42,228 mg of sodium, and more than 1,162 grams of fat." And when you put it that way...
PCRM reps will be on the Boardwalk to "hold up a banner that warns of the link between hot dogs and 'butt' cancer or colorectal cancer, and distribute flyers urging spectators and contest participants to 'save their buns.'" So, yeah, be warned. Not phased? You can always spend your Independence Day trying some of our favorite dogs in town.
Tagged
cancer
hot dog
hot dogs
science
Garth Johnston
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
Published Oct 10, 2026
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
By
Robert Sietsema
Food
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
By
Robert Sietsema
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
By
Sonia Rao
5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's
By
Hannah Frishberg
Where to eat in Greenpoint, Brooklyn right now, from Polish to Sichuan to Iberian
By
Robert Sietsema
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .