Why Filipinos Are Hooked on Mukbang and What It Could Be Doing to Your Health

“Mukbang” is a Korean internet slang term that comes from the Korean words “meok-da,” meaning to eat and, “bang-song,” meaning broadcast. Mukbang refers to a live-stream or pre-recorded video of the host consuming food in large quantities that an ordinary person wouldn’t normally eat in a day.

The mukbang trend started in Korea in the early 2010s and has since branched out to different kinds of “eating” videos such as storytime mukbang, ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) mukbang, drive-thru mukbang, and collaboration mukbang.

Filipino mukbangers quickly jumped on the bandwagon, eating as much as 3,000 to 4,000 calories in one sitting. Dr. Dex Macalintal, a lifestyle medicine physician, said in a documentary interview that eating food high in calories and cholesterol can lead to health issues over time.

Why Are Mukbang Videos Satisfying to Watch?

Food is the love language of many Filipinos. They enjoy preparing the ingredients, cooking, and eating together. Bonds are often built over home cooking and sharing meals. So it comes as no surprise that Filipinos enjoy watching mukbang videos.

According to Medium, some people watch mukbang videos for the pleasure of a vivid sensory experience. Watching mukbang hosts eat their food with gusto, paired with the satisfying sounds of chewing and crunching, can be very enticing. Other people watch them out of boredom or loneliness.

What Are the Possible Effects of Watching Mukbang Videos on Overall Health?

A study suggests that frequent mukbang viewing may normalize unhealthy eating behaviors such as consuming more food than the body actually needs and eating primarily for pleasure instead of proper nutrition.

According to MD Anderson, eating beyond the point of fullness can have harmful effects on the body, such as:

Weight gain
Abdominal discomfort
Bloating
Heartburn
Metabolic Stress
Organ Strain

A study links watching mukbang videos with eating disorder symptoms, such as binge eating and purging. These behaviors can increase the risk of obesity and chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart diseases.

Furthermore, many mukbang hosts maintain fit bodies despite eating large amounts of food on camera, which can lead some viewers to compare themselves and develop negative body image and negative mood.

In 2024, former Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa once considered banning mukbang in the Philippines after a food content creator died due to a stroke. Herbosa raised concerns that overeating leads to obesity. In turn, obesity can cause hypertension, heart conditions, and even heart attacks.

Although the proposed ban did not move forward, the Department of Health (DOH) suggested that content creators focus on food videos featuring reasonable portion sizes and meals that are not excessively high in sugar, fat, and salt.

Healthy Tips for Mukbang Viewers

Here are a few simple tips to enjoy watching food content while protecting your health:

Don’t copy the eating habits you see on mukbang videos. The large portions shown on screen are meant for entertainment and not healthy serving sizes of everyday meals.
Pay attention to your hunger and fullness cues to help you consume fewer calories.
Eat mindfully. Chew slowly, savor each bite, and stop eating when your stomach feels comfortably full.
Choose balanced meals. Fill your plate with vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats to support good nutrition.
Avoid binge-eating. Ask yourself if you’re really hungry or just tempted by the mukbang video you’re watching.
Don’t compare your eating habits or body to what you see online. Mukbang videos don’t always reflect reality. Many creators edit, use filters, and shoot multiple videos to make their content more interesting.

Bottomline

It’s okay to watch mukbang videos as a form of entertainment, but remember to eat mindfully, choose balanced meals over trending food, and avoid comparing yourself to what you see online.

If you’re a content creator, your health should never be sacrificed for views. You don’t have to overeat just to entertain your audience. The DOH encourages creators to promote healthy eating habits and use the “Pinggang Pinoy” Healthy Food Plate for Filipinos as a reference when featuring meals in their content.

Whether you’re a viewer or a content creator, maintaining healthy eating habits is more important than following online trends. A prepaid health card for freelancers, like ER Guard, helps you stay prepared for unexpected medical emergencies, so you can focus on doing what you love.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What is a mukbang?

“Mukbang” is a type of online video that started in Korea where a host eats large amounts of food.

2. Is watching mukbang videos bad for my health?

Watching mukbang videos frequently may trigger food cravings, encourage overeating, or influence unhealthy eating habits in some people.

3. How can I enjoy mukbang videos without overeating?

Watch in moderation and don’t copy the eating behaviors you see on mukbang videos. Eat mindfully and pay attention to your body’s hunger and fullness cues.

4. How can I practice mindful eating?

Eat slowly, take your time with each bite, and stop eating when you feel full.

5. What should I do if mukbang videos trigger food cravings?

If a mukbang video makes you want to eat, ask yourself if you’re really hungry. If not, take a break from the video or watch something else.

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